– Says Does Not Meet Surrey’s Population Growth Needs
Today, the BC Minister of Transportation, Rob Fleming, announced that the George Massey Tunnel will be replaced with another tunnel that will be comprised of 8-lanes, with two of the lanes dedicated to rapid bus transit lanes and an active transportation pathway.
“The Surrey Board of Trade has advocated for an 8 to 10 lane bridge and is disappointed with the decision made by the BC Government today,” said Anita Huberman, CEO of the Surrey Board of Trade. “Surrey is still growing by 1,200-1,400 people a month, and with another 1.3 million people expected to arrive by 2030 in the Metro Vancouver region, with many of them expected to live, learn, work and play in Surrey and the South Fraser economic region, the 8-lane tunnel, which is really only an additional 2 lanes from what currently is in place, does not meet Surrey’s needs to move people and move goods. Surrey is compromised again in terms of transportation infrastructure.”
“The bridge was expected to have been almost ready by now. It is unfortunate that we are back at square one.”
The replacement project is estimated to cost $4.15 billion, and to be completed by 2030. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2025 after a three-and-a-half-year environmental assessment.
Transportation Investment Corporation will lead the delivery of the George Massey Crossing Project on behalf of the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, and will provide the controls, practices, and other oversight essential for this complex project.
For more information on the Replacement Project visit https://engage.gov.bc.ca/masseytunnel/
For more information on Surrey’s Road Survey visit https://businessinsurrey.com/2021/02/5th-annual-surrey-road-survey-shows-urgency-for-road-bridge-transit-improvements/
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