People offer opinions on possible Massey Tunnel replacement

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RICHMOND (NEWS1130) – The options for replacing the Massey Tunnel were the focus of a public consultation in Richmond.

The first of three meetings kicked off at the Richmond Oval tonight.

All drivers News1130 spoke with agreed something needs to be done to ease congestion along one of Metro Vancouver’s busiest routes.

Many people are frustrated but not one opinion voiced was the same.

George says, “Definitely keep the older one and build another one.”

“The idea of a bridge is a good one. The cost obviously (is an issue). None of these proposals have reached the point where they will say how much this will cost,” says Neil.

Leah says, “Another tunnel? I don’t know, that’s a lot of interruption down below so why don’t they go up top (with a bridge).

Howard voted in favour of keeping the existing tunnel. “Retrofit it and maybe build something else down No. 8 road or somewhere like that as well.”

The options include refurbish the current bridge, build a new one, twin it, construct a bridge or add another crossing.

Planners don’t have an idea on a price tag because it depends on which plan is chosen, but they say any option would be in the billions.

Richmond City Council has come out in opposition of one of the province’s options that includes using the old tunnel in conjunction with a new bridge.

A brief overview of the five options the province has outlined:

Scenario 1: Maintain existing tunnel
– better lighting and seismic upgrades
– new interchanges at Steveston Hwy and Highway 17 to improve flow

Scenario 2: Build a new bridge
– would have traffic lanes, hov lanes, bike lanes and pedestrian accomodations
– improves all of Highway 99 and interchanges from Bridgeport to border

Scenario 3: Build a new tunnel
– tunnel with traffic lanes, hov lanes, bike lanes and pedestrian accomodations
– improves all of Highway 99 and interchanges from Bridgeport to border

Scenario 4: Twin the tunnel, with the new crossing for HOV, transit, pedestrians, and cyclists only
– improve all of Highway 99

Scenario 5: Maintain existing tunnel, build new crossing elsewhere
– a new crossing upstream along No 8 Road corridor between Highway 91 and the new South Fraser Perimeter Road
– Highway 99 improvements

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