No final decision on Massey Tunnel replacement until fall 2020

The B.C. NDP says it won't make a decision on how it will upgrade or replace the 59-year-old Massey Tunnel until the fall of 2020.

Transportation Minister Claire Trevena has ruled out a 10-lane bridge as a solution but says all other options are still on the table. She said the planned bridge project was flawed from the start, but a smaller bridge and tunnel improvements could reduce congestion and improve the crossing.

The previous B.C. Liberal government started preliminary work on a 10-lane bridge between Richmond and Delta in 2017 but the New Democrats cancelled the $3.5 billion project shortly after they were elected.

The NDP hired engineer Stan Cowdell last year to study the best options to ease traffic congestion at one of the worst bottlenecks in the province.

Cowdell's report, which was released Monday morning, recommends further study into the construction of a smaller bridge, upgrading the existing tunnel or building a new tunnel.

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.

'Understandably frustrated'

"People are understandably frustrated with the gridlock on the Highway 99 corridor," Trevena said Monday.

"Had the options been carefully and objectively considered before the 10-lane bridge project, we would be much closer to solving the congestion in a way that works for everyone."

Cowdell says the province should investigate whether an eight-lane immersed tube tunnel should be built.

A similar project that links Hong Kong and Macau was recently completed.

Trevena says she will be begin consulting with stakeholders on the project in the new year.