Province now looking for firms to take on Massey Tunnel Replacement Project

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DELTA (NEWS 1130) – The province is now asking interested companies to step forward to prove they can do what’s required in the Massey Tunnel Replacement Project.

The project includes building the 10-lane bridge itself, as well as replacing the interchanges at Westminster Highway, Steveston Highway and Highway 17A, plus tearing down the tunnel.

It also calls for the construction of multi-use pathways on both sides of the bridge for cyclists and pedestrians.

The province has issued a “Request for Qualifications,” which is the first step in a process that will eventually see the government request proposals from a shortlist of the best three qualified teams in order to find the right fit.

Delta Mayor Lois Jackson couldn’t be happier to hear things are finally starting to get underway.

“The commuters — not only from Delta, but from Langley, Surrey and White Rock… the border — all those people I’m sure would wish they had a different mode of transportation. But there is none.”

“We know that 60 per cent of people going through that tunnel on a daily basis stop in Richmond. They go to work there, they have businesses there and that sort of thing — that’s an absolute fact,” adds Jackson.

She admits Richmond has concerns about the project, but points out people in that city are able to use the Canada Line.

“They’re lucky. They’re really lucky. They’ve got an ability to get into town easily. We don’t on this side of the river.”

Costs of the project are expected to be recovered through user tolls, while the private partner will be responsible financing some of the project.

Construction of the bridge is supposed to begin next year and wrap up in 2022. It will feature four general travel lanes and one dedicated transit/HOV lane in each direction.

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