Richmond MLA says time and money being wasted replacing Massey Tunnel

RICHMOND (NEWS 1130) — An Opposition MLA from Richmond says money and time are being wasted as the New Democrat government further delays work to replace or twin the George Massey Tunnel. A shortlist of options currently being considered includes a multi-lane bridge.

Jas Johal says construction of a previously approved 10 lane bridge, which would have been tolled, shouldn’t have been halted in 2017 when Transportation Minister Claire Trevena ordered a review.

“This thing was shovel-ready and this project would have been halfway built by now. Instead, we’re starting all over. We cancel a bridge potentially where we may replace it with another bridge. I know the mayors have talked about a bored tunnel, but the Premier’s already said, as well, they may look at a bridge. So, I’m not sure why cancelling the last bridge means we’ll now build another bridge which will probably cost more.”

The Richmond-Queesnborough MLA says past studies have suggested a bored tunnel would be more disruptive to the local ecosystem.

“Is it the safest way to go? Our studies for the past government showed the bridge was the best way to go in regards to moving forward. I have no problem if they want to move ahead with a tunnel. I just want something started, but it better be able to handle the demands of a crossing 75 years from now.”

Metro Vancouver mayors are now reviewing a shortlist of 12 options presented Wednesday by staff with the Ministry of Transportation.

That working group is set to meet again on Oct. 2, but Johal says his constituents have waited long enough.

“And now they’re having more debates where, potentially, we could still be building another bridge. Even if we were to start this year, we wouldn’t have a crossing probably until 2025 and if we continue to debate this, 2030 looks realistic.”

He tells NEWS 1130: “The government cancelled it and all we have now is almost six kilometres of sand on the side of the road, weeds growing out of it. In many ways, it’s a monument for inaction.”

Johal adds in the meantime, traffic is only getting worse.

“Everybody’s impacted by that tunnel every single day. You know, by the time two o’clock rolls around, this is a no-go zone. Everybody knows it’s going to take you half an hour to move two blocks. Many local businesses in Richmond have difficulty in not only hiring people, but in retaining staff because potential staff do not want to navigate past that tunnel,” says Johal. “It’s a huge issue not only just in the service sector, but right up to law firms who have difficulty in making sure they can get employees to work and live in Richmond.”

Johal says he understands why tolls have been removed, but that might change if the price of the new project tops $3.5 billion.

“The last project was ten lanes and it specifically set aside half a billion dollars in transit improvements that included not only bus-only lanes, but also overpasses on Highway 99 and allowing for these buses to get to the Canada Line very quickly, so it would have enhanced transit, as well.”

NEWS 1130 reached out to Transportation Minister Claire Trevena for a response, but she has not been available.