How long is the george massey tunnel

Construction of the replacement for the George Massey Tunnel is set to start in ,Transportation Minister Rob Fleming told a news conference Wednesday. The new tunnel will improve traffic flow, save travel time and make travel easier for those taking transit, cycling or walking, he said, adding it will not be tolled.

Two of the eight lanes, one in each direction, will be dedicated to rapid bus transit and there will be separated pathways for cyclists and pedestrians. Asked whether the planned tunnel will really reduce travel time for commuters during rush hour given two lanes will be reserved for buses, Fleming said the current four-lane tunnel uses a counter-flow system that leads to congestion.

The tunnel option was chosen instead of an eight-lane bridge because it was endorsed by the regional district, causes the least harm to the surrounding area, including the river, and allows for work to start right away, the province said. Former premier Christy Clark promised a lane bridge during the election, but the work was put on hold when the NDP took power in The bridge project had a completion date set for and in defence of the delay, Fleming pointed to "strenuous objections" to that plan from local governments.

An environmental assessment certificate had been issued for the previously planned bridge and Fleming said the province will move ahead immediately with improvements to the surrounding infrastructure while it works through the procurement and environmental assessment processes for the new tunnel. The province is hoping to receive "significant federal contribution" to help cover the cost of the project, Fleming said.

While the new tunnel will have a five-metre-wide two-directional multi-use path and dedicated rapid bus lanes, the province has concluded future rail is not warranted for this transportation corridor and rather the focus will remain on transit. After reviewing its business case looking at either building an eight-lane bridge or an eight-lane tunnel, the province decided on the latter to replace the current four-lane tunnel.

Share on Facebook. Construction is expected to begin in after a 3. This cancelled project cost, funded by tolls, also included extensive upgrades to 24 km of Highway 99 and major new interchanges. For the immersed tunnel option chosen, two side-by-side tubes will each contain four vehicle lanes, with two lanes dedicated for bus rapid transit.

A smaller third tube with a width of five metres will be dedicated for pedestrians and cyclists. The new tunnel will have a depth equal to that of the existing tunnel to meet navigational requirements in the Fraser River, and to reduce construction costs. It will have a length of 1. The footprint of the new tunnel will be upstream from the existing tunnel, which will be removed between and Artistic rendering of the new eight-lane immersed tunnel replacement for the George Massey Tunnel.

Government of BC.