The Massey Tunnel Replacement Project is moving ahead despite the lack of a funding promise from the federal government.
Finance Minister Bill Morneau tabled the new Liberal government's first budget Tuesday, one that promised $11.9 billion over five years in infrastructure spending across the country, but didn't include the B.C. government's big ticket item, the new bridge.
B.C. will receive $460 million over three years for transportation and lightrapid transit expansion in Metro Vancouver was mentioned for the longer term, including projects like the Surrey LRT and the Broadway subway line.
The federal government is also increasing its share of funding for major projects to 50 per cent, up from one-third.
But when it comes to the $3.5 billion bridge between South Delta and Richmond, there was no mention money had been earmarked for that project. It's a provincial initiative where Delta or other municipalities haven't been told they'd have to pick up a portion of the tab, but the province is expecting money from the feds and Port Metro Vancouver.
Following the budget announcement this week, Community and TransLink Minister Peter Fassbender, the senior B.C. cabinet minister speaking on behalf of the province, said the bridge is going ahead.
"We are moving ahead, as you know, on the George Massey (Tunnel) replacement because it is important, not just as transportation for people but goods movement. It is also an environmentally positive project for the region, so we're going to continue to press for that," he told reporters.
"I think there's a lot of detail in the budget. Our officials are in Ottawa and will be working with our counterparts and the federal government, and we're going to see what evolves out of that. I am sure there are many other projects that aren't detailed in the budget, but I can assure you we will be having those discussions," Fassbender said.
He said B.C. is committed to investing $12 billion in infrastructure over the next three years, including the tunnel replacement, and it's not going to be contingent on federal funding.
As far a rapid transit, including light rail, being part of the new bridge, that capacity will be built into the crossing but the province hasn't committed to adding such service when the bridge opens in 2022.
Light rail into Delta would not likely be high on the regional mayors' list of priorities and would have to be another provincial initiative, since Surrey and Vancouver have the combined power within Metro Vancouver to put their projects on the top of any wish list.
Gordon Price, director of the City Program at Simon Fraser University, said it's surprising so much would be spent on a bridge without the inclusion of rapid transit. "That raises the question why isn't it. If this region is committed to its regional vision, then yes, there should be something when you put in three to four billion dollars where there should also be a serious commitment to transit," said Price.
