$4.15 billion for a tunnel that provides only 6 all-purpose lanes. Really now?
When a bridge that was superior and would have provided navigational benefits up the Fraser River would have cost 3.5 billion at most, and be completed by the mid 2020's had the NDP not cancelled the project.
Per Liza Yuzda on twitter "The @bcliberals plan for 10 lane bridge scrapped after @bcndp took gov. Last elxn @bcliberals said bridge would cost $8-billion."
I don't believe one particular government is better than another on delivering similar large infrastructure projects. It's the same companies doing the work in the end, with the MOTI.
The new toll-free tunnel is currently expected to carry a $4.15 billion cost, with construction beginning in 2026 for completion in 2030.
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.
Expected to be completed 8 years after the bridge, costs more, less infrastructure being built, 8 additional years of economic loss because of the extended time to complete.
If this was a project at my company, there would be repercussions. People responsible for this shouldn't be running a $1000 day long project.
Fleming should be embarrassed to be proudly announcing this thing.
Location: Victoria (formerly Port Moody, then Winnipeg)
Posts: 2,446
yeah, you are probably right. I'm more upset about the lack of 'modernization of the corridor' that the liberal version of this was going to see. New, higher overpasses, engineered to modern standards (ok, maybe the Steveston Stack was overkill), and 6-laning of the highway on the south side.
Also, dangerous goods shipments will continue to need to use the AFB, no?
8 lanes is still better than 4, and many Teslas and EVs will be using the HOV lane anyway, making it an all purpose lane by the time 2030 rolls out. The tunnel replacement is essential and it is not a surprise that the 8 lane submerged tunnel got appointed as the top choice. It was obvious from 2 years ago the submerged tunnel would be selected because it is the path easily traveled. What is surprising is the 8 year build time to construct a submerged tunnel. Just seems like a BC thing to make road projects happen at a slow pace on purpose...
8 lanes is still better than 4, and many Teslas and EVs will be using the HOV lane anyway, making it an all purpose lane by the time 2030 rolls out.
dont bet on it. do you really think they will keep that perk once there are enough EVs on the roads? i would bet that stops.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cypherus
The tunnel replacement is essential and it is not a surprise that the 8 lane submerged tunnel got appointed as the top choice. It was obvious from 2 years ago the submerged tunnel would be selected because it is the path easily traveled. What is surprising is the 8 year build time to construct a submerged tunnel. Just seems like a BC thing to make road projects happen at a slow pace on purpose...
the runnel replacement is worse in all regards.
- 8yrs longer
- 1 billion more
- less highway upgrades
- less lanes
- more farmland loss
- more intense/disruptive construction through the fraser river which i thought people cared about? salmon, fish, etc. habitat?
this is literally getting a pile crap when we could have had a silver ring.
8 lanes is still better than 4, and many Teslas and EVs will be using the HOV lane anyway, making it an all purpose lane by the time 2030 rolls out. The tunnel replacement is essential and it is not a surprise that the 8 lane submerged tunnel got appointed as the top choice. It was obvious from 2 years ago the submerged tunnel would be selected because it is the path easily traveled. What is surprising is the 8 year build time to construct a submerged tunnel. Just seems like a BC thing to make road projects happen at a slow pace on purpose...
The lane is actually Bus not HOV right now, so likely just transit busses only.
The timeline has a ton of permitting and EAs up front, so there will be another election before actual construction begins.
Richmond News
August 18, 2021
New 8-lane Massey Tunnel coming 2030
B.C. government says construction on the new $4.15 [billion] crossing will begin in 2025, after a three and a half year environmental assessment
Will the pedestrian/cyclist tunnel see enough use to justify its existence?
It'll allow them to stop paying to provide the free shuttle service that's now required to get cyclists through the tunnel. I know at least some cyclists have avoided the route specifically because of the low frequency and sometimes unreliable availability of the shuttle, so I imagine there will be at least a modest increase in use.
You have to remember that there's been a large increase in the use of electric bikes, so there are a fair number of cyclists who aren't put off by the relatively long distances that this route entails.
I don't know how to quote articles, but the DailyHive one mentions that transit demand won't be sufficient within the next 60 years to justify rail connections. Does anyone know the forecast useful life for the tunnel and bridge options? I know some users mentioned not having capacity for Sky Train was a big minus for the tunnel, but I don't think Translink will have the need, desire, or resources to extend the Canada Line to Tsawwassen/Ladner/Delta before the new crossing will need to be replaced again anyways.
Then again, 60 years is a long time and Surrey's population exploded by 533% from 1966 to 2016...
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“Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of riding a bike” – John F Kennedy
They should buy everyone a car for anyone dumb enough to walk there. It'll be cheaper.
The trips don't have to be commutes from Delta to Vancouver. What if a school-aged kid from wanted to visit his friend in Richmond and ride his bike? Right now that trip takes over 2 hours (according to Google maps) but a direct route will only take about 30 minutes.
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“Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of riding a bike” – John F Kennedy
The trips don't have to be commutes from Delta to Vancouver. What if a school-aged kid from wanted to visit his friend in Richmond and ride his bike? Right now that trip takes over 2 hours (according to Google maps) but a direct route will only take about 30 minutes.
I was just referring to the pedestrians that Warren mentioned, though I am curious on their cyclist traffic projections either way.
Nice to see the tunnel doesn't have the same landscape destroying scale of the monstrous bridge.
That thing was ridiculous.
Of course - instead it has a causeway that blocks half the Fraser and wrecks Deas Island Park. The NDP's own studies said the bridge had the smaller footprint.
so now it's less lanes for more money. Thanks NDP!!
hahahahaha a tunnel for pedestrians and cyclist, what a giant waste of money.
I'm more curious at how much of a downgrade the "improved" interchanges will be, especially at Steveston and Hwy 17a. They are as important as the crossing itself.
so now it's less lanes for more money. Thanks NDP!!
hahahahaha a tunnel for pedestrians and cyclist, what a giant waste of money.
I'm more curious at how much of a downgrade the "improved" interchanges will be, especially at Steveston and Hwy 17a. They are as important as the crossing itself.
The interchanges will be remaining essentially unchanged.
I think only the Steveston overpass is being replaced with a new single overpass structure.
There may be a few other minor readjustments but no major redesigns or structures.
Essentially this project is just the tunnel between the 17A and Steveston interchanges.
Funny how I have been BC saying all of this for years yet the same people continued to ignore me.
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yeah, you are probably right. I'm more upset about the lack of 'modernization of the corridor' that the liberal version of this was going to see. New, higher overpasses, engineered to modern standards (ok, maybe the Steveston Stack was overkill), and 6-laning of the highway on the south side. 
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