The Massey Bridge will be a carbon copy of the new Port Mann Bridge: a massive 10-lane bridge paid for by tolling revenue.
The provincial government plans to spend $3.5 billion on the bridge, which will replace the four-lane George Massey Tunnel that goes under the Fraser River and connects Richmond to Delta.
At an announcement earlier today, Transportation Minister Todd Stone said the “largest bridge ever built in B.C.” would cut down congestion and reduce travel times by as much as 30 minutes.
The new bridge will include one combined transit and high occupancy vehicle lane in each direction.
Richmond’s Chamber of Commerce and Delta Mayor Lois Jackson say they support the plan. But the bridge has been controversial: critics say the province’s support of mega-bridges stands in stark contrast to its tepid support of transit improvement plans in the region.
Jackson said the bridge would offer future opportunities for rapid transit.
The province spent $3 billion to construct the Port Mann Bridge, which was completed in 2012. However, traffic volumes — and tolling revenues — have consistently fallen below forecasts as drivers have opted for non-tolled options like the Patullo Bridge.
Port Mann proponents initially forecast average daily trips would reach just over 150,000 trips per day by 2015. In 2015, depending on the month, the number of trips ranged from 96,900 to 112,300.
@jenstden
