The B.C. government sympathizes with the City of Delta’s request for a second exit out of Ladner, but it will be up to whatever funding arrives from the feds.
That was the response from Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, when asked by the Optimist Dec. 14, about the status of federal dollars for the George Massey Tunnel replacement and the city’s ongoing call for a second exit to be included in the project.
Fleming, who was at the Nordel Way commercial vehicle inspection facility for a provincial announcement on the trucking industry, said there is already an understanding about the importance of the Highway 99 corridor, the tunnel and its congestion problems. They had a commitment from Ottawa to help fund the project, but it is still not clear just how much.
“So, a lot of understanding, but not a lot of dollars yet. We do have a very strong commitment, as said by a number of the prime minister’s ministers and the prime minister himself, so, we’re hoping Budget 2024 is going to be an opportunity for the federal government to deliver a commitment that they’ve explicitly made on a number of occasions to be a funding partner,” said Fleming.
He noted Canada has other significant infrastructure that is aging and needs replacement. The tunnel project with its associated highway upgrades is just as important.
“We don’t think Highway 99 and the Massey Tunnel replacement is any different than, let’s say, the Champlain Bridge in Quebec or the Gordie Howe (International) Bridge connecting Windsor and Detroit. Those were large projects that needed to be built for a variety of reasons and this is British Columbia’s project that falls into that category, and we hope to have an announcement.
“I’ve said very carefully and said repeatedly to the mayor of Delta (George Harvie) that we sympathize with the access they want, we applaud the housing ambitions which are meeting the province’s as well, and we’re working together to convince Ottawa. That a funding contribution would allow us to add to project that’s already been approved and is under construction,” he added.
In a letter to Premier David Eby this year, Harvie wrote, “The connection of River Road over Highway 99 remains a vital component for the City of Delta, as it provides a much needed secondary access from Ladner, as well as support pedestrian and cycling connections.”
A recent Delta staff report notes that the province is undertaking a feasibility planning study for the proposed new connection and indicated that a decision to advance the River Road Overpass would need to consider several factors, including the study results and securing federal funding.
The new tunnel is to be completed in 2030.
