Hwy 99 Fraser River Tunnel (George Massey Replacement) | Proposed

[officedweller]

Posted today:

As part of the Highway 99 Tunnel Program, the Province of BC is delivering five infrastructure projects to improve travel along the Highway 99 corridor over the next several years.

This video outlines the projects, including the replacement of the aging, four-lane George Massey Tunnel with a toll-free, eight-lane immersed tube tunnel scheduled to open in 2030. Highway sections at both ends of the tunnel will also undergo upgrades to improve safety and traffic flow for all travellers.

Learn more about the Highway 99 Tunnel Program: http://www.highway99tunnel.ca

• Video Link

[madog222]

Tunnel construction RFQ has been issued.

https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023MOTI...m_term=0_d06d63a6de-25d8f3d282-595441260

[cganuelas1995]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Posted today:


• Video Link

Now, I have no idea who would walk through a tunnel from Ladner to Richmond and possibly beyond when you can take the bus, but you do you

[Dengler Avenue]

Originally Posted by cganuelas1995

Now, I have no idea who would walk through a tunnel from Ladner to Richmond and possibly beyond when you can take the bus, but you do you

You can always do that if buses stop showing up for whatever reason.

[Klazu]

This project sure has been announced many times without any action. The entire thing continues to be a massive NDP failure.

[aberdeen5698]

Originally Posted by cganuelas1995

Now, I have no idea who would walk through a tunnel from Ladner to Richmond and possibly beyond when you can take the bus, but you do you

Walking seems like a stretch considering how little there is on the south side of the tunnel. Biking I can understand, though.

[VancouverOfTheFuture]

Originally Posted by Klazu

This project sure has been announced many times without any action. The entire thing continues to be a massive NDP failure.

if they hadn't cancelled the bridge, we would have had the whole thing done over a year ago now.

freeway, bridge, interchanges, bus lanes, bus stops, etc.

the NDP are idiots.

[Metro-One]

That’s so pathetic. A C-grade “shoulder” bus system, minor upgrades to the two interchanges, the completed at grade bus ramp, and the tunnel.

All for a much higher price tag and decade delay than the top grade median rapid bus system, grade separated direct ramps, full 35km of freeway upgrades with modern interchange designs, etc…

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by Klazu

This project sure has been announced many times without any action. The entire thing continues to be a massive NDP failure.

Remember when Christy announced the bridge like 2 elections in the future? That sure went well.

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by aberdeen5698

Walking seems like a stretch considering how little there is on the south side of the tunnel. Biking I can understand, though.

Never underestimate the desire to get to a casino.

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Never underestimate the desire to get to a casino.

Or the need to walk home without a shirt for the more unlucky gamblers?

[p78hub]

Originally Posted by Metro-One

That’s so pathetic. A C-grade “shoulder” bus system, minor upgrades to the two interchanges, the completed at grade bus ramp, and the tunnel.

All for a much higher price tag and decade delay than the top grade median rapid bus system, grade separated direct ramps, full 35km of freeway upgrades with modern interchange designs, etc…

Half-assed, sub-par, and over budget - the MO for BC highway infrastructure since 1958. But hey, at least we'll avoid looking like Los Angeles, supposedly, by shirking the construction of a modern interchange that *gasp* doesn't include a parclo.

[Mininari]

Oh wow. That made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
The "right project" for the region indeed.

I was talking to one of the consultants on this project doing the pre-environmental assessment work, and he simply smiled and laughed with a brief "yep" when I commented the crossing "touching the river" was going to add years to the timeline over a bridge. Not news by any means, but I can tell their company is making a good buck off doing the work.

... which was already done for the cancelled bridge


Anyway. Looking forward to driving through the new tunnel about when I turn 50.

[Cypherus]

Great animations, but the focus on "bike lanes" along with the bike bells and pedestrian walkways, was hokey. I get it, they are trying to sell the highway project to the anti-car climate activists. However, this is a highway corridor which connects directly the USA, our largest trading partner. This is not a community walkway as the video projects. Let's just get the project done and move on to putting our money into hospitals next.

[Sheba]

Originally Posted by Cypherus

Great animations, but the focus on "bike lanes" along with the bike bells and pedestrian walkways, was hokey. I get it, they are trying to sell the highway project to the anti-car climate activists. However, this is a highway corridor which connects directly the USA, our largest trading partner. This is not a community walkway as the video projects. Let's just get the project done and move on to putting our money into hospitals next.

I disagree. For a long time bike infrastructure kept getting pushed to the back of the 'to do' list. Now they're trying to catch up and adding pedestrian / bike lanes everywhere. It's not like adding it is going to add much to the final price tag of this project.

[VancouverOfTheFuture]

i wonder how using these bike and pedestrian, multiple km long tunnels, will be. theyll have no sight lines for possible muggers. theyll be almost impossible to patrol. probably make a good place to camp out as a vagrant.

i wonder if the bridge ones would have been nicer. hmmmmmmmmmm.....

[madog222]

It's going to be a lot nicer to ride through than a bridge with over twice the climb.

[aberdeen5698]

Originally Posted by VancouverOfTheFuture

i wonder how using these bike and pedestrian, multiple km long tunnels, will be. theyll have no sight lines for possible muggers.

Seems to me like these walkways would be pretty slim pickings for muggers...

[Metro-One]

Originally Posted by madog222

It's going to be a lot nicer to ride through than a bridge with over twice the climb.

Really? You don’t think the people riding that route would much prefer panoramic views from the bridge deck?

Seems to me that every bridge we have bike pathways on now (from the Lions Gate to the Golden Ears) people aren’t saying, “hmm, this would be such a better experience in a tunnel.”

And don’t bring up the weather protection argument here, that is mute, because if you are riding this route that means on both ends of the tunnel you are riding a loooong way through the elements anyways.

[ecbin]

Originally Posted by Metro-One

Really? You don’t think the people riding that route would much prefer panoramic views from the bridge deck?

Seems to me that every bridge we have bike pathways on now (from the Lions Gate to the Golden Ears) people aren’t saying, “hmm, this would be such a better experience in a tunnel.”

And don’t bring up the weather protection argument here, that is mute, because if you are riding this route that means on both ends of the tunnel you are riding a loooong way through the elements anyways.

Depends - this bridge would have been relatively steep for most riders so it would discourage a lot of people from using it. The folks who could do the climb would definitely prefer the views over the tunnel though but I'd guess you'll get way more bike volume with the tunnel over the bridge. An eBike would help in either case though.

At the same time, I'm very curious how liveable the tunnel will be - will it feel spacious? How well lit can they make it?