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Smaller bridge or 2nd tunnel

UPDATE: 2:40 p.m.

The province is considering a new eight-lane bridge or possibly a second tunnel as part of a study on best options to replace the Massey Tunnel, CTV News reports.

Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Claire Trevena a 10-lane bridge planned under the BC Liberals was more than what's needed. The plan was put on hold after the NDP were elected.

"It left out a number of key considerations like community alignment, livability and cost," Trevena said Monday. "We heard that loud and clear from Metro Vancouver mayors."

Trevena said government will also look at retrofitting the existing tunnel.

In the meantime, it is "aggressively and immediately pursuing congestion relief on both sides of the river."

– with files from CTV Vancouver

 


ORIGINAL: 11:45 a.m.

An independent review of a major traffic congestion zone in suburban Vancouver recommends further study of the future of the George Massey crossing project, including keeping the existing tunnel.

Work had already begun on a $3.5-billion, 10-lane bridge to replace the existing 59-year-old tunnel during the former Liberal government's regime, but the New Democrat government put the plan on hold after it won the 2017 election.

Transportation Minister Claire Trevena says the project was flawed from the start and a smaller bridge and tunnel improvements can reduce congestion and improve the crossing.

The technical review of the crossing recommends examining the addition of new tunnel capacity and reusing the existing tunnel that links Delta and Richmond.

It says the government should re-examine the entire project to ensure it reduces future traffic congestion and provides enhanced public transit infrastructure.

Richmond's council had complained about the massive bridge project taking over agricultural and park lands, but the review says any replacement will still encroach on those lands.



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