B.C. Premier-designate Lorne Doerkson says he has asked the outgoing provincial government to ensure the George Massey Tunnel replacement project can support a bridge linking Richmond and Delta.
The Story
B.C. Premier-designate Lorne Doerkson has sent a letter to the outgoing provincial government asking it to ensure all work on the George Massey Tunnel replacement project can support a bridge crossing the Fraser River.
Doerkson’s Conservatives have committed to replacing the tunnel with a bridge connecting Richmond and Delta, even though work on a new tunnel is already underway.
He said a bridge would save taxpayers a significant amount of money and pointed to a $2.5 billion savings figure, saying he is committed to the approach.
Doerkson said he wishes the outgoing NDP were more responsible with the project and argued that the federal government’s position means Ottawa does not care whether the replacement is a bridge or a tunnel.
The federal government has previously pledged to cover a third of the cost of a replacement for the Fraser River crossing, up to a maximum of $3 billion.
The tunnel is slated for completion in 2030. In 2021, the project was estimated to cost $4.15 billion, and an updated estimate has not been released.
← More stories