Team chosen to design Vancouver’s Massey Tunnel replacement, province says

The province says a team is finalized for the George Massey Tunnel’s revamp project.

The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure says, in a release on Tuesday, that the Massey Tunnel will be replaced by an immersed tube tunnel that includes three general-purpose travel lanes and dedicated public transit lanes in both directions.

The next stage of design for the new toll-free, eight-lane tunnel will move forward this summer with the selection of a preferred proponent, Cross Fraser Partnership.

It will also feature a separate multi-use path to support walking, biking and other active transportation options.

“We’re addressing traffic congestion at this bottleneck to make it quicker and easier for people to get where they’re going,” said Dan Coulter, Minister of State for Infrastructure and Transit.

Coulter says dedicated lanes will make public transit along the corridor faster and more reliable, and people will be able to cross the river on foot or by bike for the first time in this area.

The ministry says the project is in its development phase and is expected to start major construction in 2026. It adds that there will be an environmental assessment that will continue alongside the development of the project design.

The Cross Fraser team includes Bouygues Construction Canada Inc., Fomento de Construcciones y Contratas Canada Ltd., Pomerleau B.C. Inc., and Arcadis Canada Inc.

Before the tunnel construction, the province says it is also working on corridor improvements along Highway 99.

“Transit and cycling upgrades along Highway 99 are already complete and the Steveston Interchange Project will reach a key milestone this year with construction of the first half of the new interchange,” it said.

In June 2024, construction of the interchange started, and it is expected to be completed in 2025.

“Steveston Highway traffic will then move on to the new structure so the old overpass can be removed and work can begin on the second segment,” the province said.

The Steveston Interchange is a new five-lane build also making it easier for people to travel.

“Improved transit connections, facilities for biking and walking, reduced traffic congestion and easier access to, from and across Highway 99 all make this project an important one for Steveston and Richmond residents,” MLA for Richmond-Steveston Kelly Greene said.

The province says other improvements are also being made in lanes along Highway 99 and these improvements, once complete are expected to allow travel along the corridor at 80 km/hour, unlike the current average of 30 km/hour.