The above Delta Archives photo from the 1940s shows the inside the tube of the Maas River Tunnel at Rotterdam, Holland. It was the model for the Deas Island Tunnel, later named the George Massey Tunnel. The Mass tunnel is the world's first using immersed tube technology. Opened in 1942, it's still in use today and had been undergoing a retrofit.
As far as the Massey tunnel's future, the provincial government says details justifying a preferred option are to be outlined in a business case prepared by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, a document to be ready in late 2020. That option could include a new crossing but also keeping the current tunnel.
A photo of the newly opened Deas Island Tunnel in 1959. It was made up of six precast concrete sections that were floated into position
The province also says $40 million worth of safety improvements have gotten underway and will continue through 2020.
The ministry this week announced Highway 99, between the Steveston Highway and Highway 17 junctions, on either side of the tunnel, will be resurfaced with new line painting to improve safety.
To minimize delays for travellers, the majority of work will be done outside of peak traffic periods.
The ministry also says construction is expected to begin Tuesday, Sept. 3 and finish this fall. The work is weather-dependent.
A 1959 photo of a tour of the soon to be opened Deas Island Tunnel. Construction began in March 1957 and was completed by May 1959. The project almost cost $17 million at the time
