The B.C. NDP government is taking a “hurry up and wait” approach to fixing the chronic transportation bottleneck that is the George Massey tunnel.
NDP Transportation Minister Claire Trevena announced Wednesday, Sept. 6 that she is cancelling procurement contracts for the $3.5 billion tunnel replacement project, but isn’t necessarily cancelling the project altogether
Instead, she is appointing an independent technical review of it and other options for fixing the tunnel’s congestion problem.
The government will also consult with the mayors of Richmond and Delta, who are diametrically opposed on their views of the tunnel replacement project.
Delta supported the Liberal government’s plan to replace the aging tunnel with a new 10-lane bridge. Richmond opposes the bridge and some councilors there have suggested twinning the existing tunnel.
A recent Angus Reid Global poll finds that 75% of Metro Vancouver residents favour replacing the tunnel with a 10-lane bridge. The poll was based on an online survey of 610 Metro Vancouver residents. It found support for the bridge among Richmond and Delta residents to be 65%.
Terminating procurement contracts for on the Massey Tunnel replacement project will cost the province up to $4 million. BC Hydro also has spent approximately $25 million on a transmission line relocation that was tied to the tunnel replacement.
But the government said that work is not a write-off, as it can still be used, regardless of whether the province decides to go with a tunnel twinning, a smaller bridge or the 10-lane project the Liberals approved.
Trevena acknowledged that tunnel congestion is a problem for the movement of traffic along Highway 99.
“It’s regarded as a roadblock for the efficient movement of people and goods in the region,” she said. “And while we can all agree that congestion at the tunnel needs to be addressed, there is still a serious question about the solution for it.”
Trevena said a 10-lane bridge could still end up the best option, although she said twinning the tunnel or building a smaller bridge are also possible options.
“Our government believes that there is an issue of congestion and issues with safety on Highway 99 – that’s George Massey – and they need to be addressed, and we intend to do that,” Trevena said.
“But the solution has to work for the entire region. There has to be the social licence and the acceptance of a solution that will be working for the entire region.”
