Contracts worth almost $57 million have been handed out to various engineering companies, beginning the process of replacing the George Massey Tunnel.
The province awarded nine contracts, ranging from $202,000 to $15 million, for technical and engineering expertise for the environmental assessment, construction of the Steveston Interchange and requests for quotation and proposal for the new eight-lane tunnel, according to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.
The next step is to begin the environmental assessment process, which will include engagement with Indigenous groups and stakeholders and preparation for procurement, the ministry said. There will also be the first of several public comment periods once the environmental assessment kicks off this spring.
Construction of the tunnel is expected to begin in 2025 after the environmental review.
Last summer, the provincial government finally announced it was replacing the aging tunnel with an eight-lane immersed tube tunnel to the tune of $4.15 billion and with a completion date of 2030.
Originally, a 10-lane bridge was planned to replace the George Massey Tunnel, but this was scrapped in 2017 by the then newly formed BC NDP government.
The new plan includes three lanes for regular traffic in each direction and one dedicated rapid-bus lane each way.
The province is also updating transit and cycling infrastructure along the George Massey corridor as part of the replacement project.
This work, already underway, includes adding quick-access lanes for buses onto the interchange near Bridgeport and building new multi-use pathways to connect the Oak Street Bridge to the City of Richmond’s cycling and pedestrian network.
In addition to the Highway 99 interchange improvements, the Steveston interchange will also be rebuilt with five lanes.
Transportation Investment Corporation is working on the eight-lane tunnel and Steveston Interchange, and will provide “the controls, practices and other oversights essential for this complex project,” the ministry said.
Construction on the Steveston Interchange is set to begin this year, and to open in 2025.
Cycling and bus-lane upgrades will also be done to Highway 99 in Delta.
Awarded contracts:
- Owner’s engineering service (immersed tube tunnel): COWL North America Ltd. - $15 million
- Owner’s engineering service (highway and civil works): R.F. Binnie and Associates Ltd. - $15 million
- Archaeological services: Golder Associates - $2,100,000
- Environmental services: Golder Associates - $14,771,000
- Independent environmental monitor for the corridor projects: Sartori Environmental Inc. - $725,000
- Marine navigation advisor: TyPlan Consulting - $332,000
- Communication and engagement services (Highway 99 Tunnel/Steveston Interchange projects) - $4,187,690
- Hydrotechnical and river hydraulics services: Northwest Hydraulic Consultants Ltd. - $4,400,000
- Marine construction advisor: RAM Engineering Ltd. - $202,000
