The next stage of design for the new toll-free, eight-lane tunnel to replace the George Massey Tunnel in Richmond, B.C., will advance this summer with selection of the Fraser River Tunnel Project’s preferred proponent, Cross Fraser Partnership.
“This is a huge step for the Fraser River Tunnel Project, which will see a new toll-free, eight-lane tunnel built to replace the aging George Massey Tunnel,” said Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “With this team in place, we can finalize the project design and ready it for construction, helping us improve travel for people moving along Highway 99 between Richmond and Delta.”
The new crossing will replace the George Massey Tunnel with a toll-free, eight-lane immersed tube tunnel that includes three general-purpose travel lanes and a dedicated public transit lane in each direction. The new tunnel 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. “Dedicated lanes through the tunnel will make public transit along the corridor faster and more reliable, and for the first time ever at this location, people will be able to cross the river on foot or by bike.”
Building on the extensive design work already completed by the Province, the project now enters the development phase, which allows a transparent and collaborative approach to tunnel design, and agreement on project costs and risks between the Province and Cross Fraser Partnership. The final design and cost submission will culminate in a design-build agreement.
The Cross Fraser Partnership team that will collaborate with the Province through the development phase is comprised of Bouygues Construction Canada Inc., Fomento de Construcciones y Contratas Canada Ltd., Pomerleau BC Inc. and Arcadis Canada Inc.
The environmental assessment continues in parallel with the development of the project design and early works with major construction starting in 2026.
In advance of tunnel construction, the Province is delivering several corridor improvements along this vital stretch of Highway 99 to improve travel for everyone. 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.
In June 2024, crews began erecting the 21 concrete girders that will support the first half of the new interchange. 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 Steveston Interchange Project is on schedule for completion in 2025.
“Along with the new eight-lane tunnel, the new five-lane Steveston Interchange under construction will make it easier for people to travel within our community,” said Kelly Greene, MLA for Richmond-Steveston. “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.”
Also in Richmond, pre-loading of soil for an additional southbound lane between the Westminster and Steveston highways was underway this summer. The additional Highway 99 lane will result in a consistent, eight-lane configuration from Westminster Highway in Richmond to Ladner Trunk Road in Delta once the new eight-lane tunnel is in place in 2030. With these Highway 99 corridor improvements complete and the new tunnel in place, vehicles will travel along the corridor at 80 kilometres per hour, unlike the current average of 30 kilometres per hour.