B.C.’s transportation minster is giving Delta kudos for pointing out safety concerns with the George Massey Tunnel.
“I want to thank Delta fire and emergency Chief Dan Copeland, Delta Chief of police Neil Dubord and all Delta first responders for the work they do, day in and day out, as they deal with emergency situations at the George Massey Tunnel,” Todd Stone said in a statement this week.
Delta council last week made public a report by staff that highlighted safety concerns with the tunnel. The report noted several issues first responders face, as well the fact the tunnel has a significantly higher accident rate than the provincial average and that accidents tend to be more severe and result in more significant injuries and death than collisions on open roads.
The report, which was sent to the other city councils in the region, also notes it’s not feasible to upgrade the 57-year-old tunnel to modern seismic standards.
The province is moving forward with a plan to build a $3.5-billion bridge to replace the tunnel, a project that has garnered opposition from Metro Vancouver but has been endorsed by Delta.
The 10-lane bridge will be safer for motorists, safer and more accessible for first responders, and safer in the event of an earthquake, Stone said.
“Their recent report to council highlights one of the main reasons we’re moving ahead with the replacement of the tunnel – the safety of the travelling public who use this crossing every day. The safety of motorists on our highways is my ministry’s number one priority, and it’s clear that a new bridge to replace the tunnel will improve safety for the 80,000 motorists who travel this corridor,” he said.
Stone said estimates have collisions being reduced by more than 35 per cent with a bridge because of more space and better sightlines. And when there is a situation, better access will mean a quicker and safer response.
“The new bridge will be built to modern seismic standards to provide a lifeline connection across the Fraser River, replacing the seismically vulnerable tunnel. As well, Highway 99 will be upgraded to modern engineering standards to increase safety for drivers and for communities along the route. This includes longer merge lanes, wider travel lanes, improved sightlines and increased vertical clearances at overpasses,” Stone said.
The minster also recently shot down the suggestion of twinning the tunnel, saying a new tunnel would be more expensive than a bridge. It would also carry significantly more construction risks and would have a greater impact on the environment, private property, agricultural land and the Fraser River, he added.
As far as the notion the bridge is being built to accommodate the port so bigger ships can ply the Fraser River, Stone reiterated there are no plans to dredge the river.
Construction is to begin next year and the bridge is scheduled to open in 2022.
