Will a bridge replace the George Massey Tunnel? Will another tunnel be built instead? Will nothing happen until further study and consultations are undertaken?
Those are the big unknowns when it comes to a potential Fraser River crossing and it looks like it will be several more weeks before any light is shed on the issue.
In addition to tunnel improvements including new lighting, the province will begin scoping work for improvements to the Steveston interchange to reduce congestion along the corridor, as well as improvements on the Delta side of the traffic network.. Photograph By Gord Goble
Asked by the Optimist when the independent technical review of the George Massey Tunnel Replacement Project will be made public, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure issued the following statement:
鈥淲e鈥檝e heard the concerns around costs and impacts about building a 10-lane bridge to replace the Massey Tunnel, both from mayors and people in Metro Vancouver. That鈥檚 why government retained Stan Cowdell to lead an independent technical review of the options available for the corridor, to make sure that any future direction on the crossing works for people in the region.
鈥淭he ministry is thoroughly reviewing Mr. Cowdell鈥檚 report and possible next steps. The minister of transportation and infrastructure will be discussing its findings with Metro mayors in the coming weeks before making the independent review 鈥� and government鈥檚 next steps -- public later this fall.鈥�
In September 2017, the government announced it was suspending the George Massey Tunnel Replacement Project, an initiative of the previous Liberal government that would have seen a $3.5-billion, 10-lane bridge constructed by 2022.
It then hired Cowdell to lead a review of the project and other options, a report the province received this summer but has yet to make public.
During question period in the legislature this week, Delta South Liberal MLA Ian Paton continued to press the need to replace the aging tunnel.
鈥淒elta mayor-elect George Harvie has a simple message for the transportation minister, and I quote: 鈥榃e need a new bridge. That is the number one concern I heard. We need a new bridge.鈥欌��
Paton also asked, 鈥淲hen will this minister build the bridge?鈥�
Premier John Horgan responded that the project was not part of the 10-year transportation plan devised by Metro mayors. Noting he met Delta Mayor Lois Jackson and discussed the issue at last month鈥檚 Union of B.C. Municipalities convention, Horgan said he and Transportation Minister Claire Trevena fully understand the traffic congestion situation at the tunnel and will work as 鈥渄iligently as we can鈥� to make sure the region understands the need to relieve such congestion points.
During the exchange Paton asked when the Cowdell report would be released, prompting the premier to respond the Mayors鈥� Council is in place 鈥渢o make sure we make rational investments in the fastest growing part of British Columbia. Those rational investments have to be done with the view of meeting all the challenges in the region鈥� not just the challenges of those in Delta.鈥�
It likely isn鈥檛 good news if Metro 麻豆传媒映画mayors have a say on whether the bridge becomes a reality. The majority of Metro mayors had voiced opposition to the project, although many did not seek re-election or were defeated in last Saturday鈥檚 civic election.
Both Jackson and mayor-elect George Harvie, Delta鈥檚 former CAO, were critical of other mayors, saying it鈥檚 all politics. Jackson said others on the Metro board admitted to her they wanted the funding for their own projects.
Harvie has pledged to continue the pressure to have a bridge built.
