Concrete BC urges decisionmakers to reconsider bridge solution for George Massey Crossing project

The Metro Vancouver Regional District Board recently recommended that the Government of British Columbia replace the George Massey Tunnel with an eight-lane Immersed-Tube Tunnel (ITT). Concrete BC and its over 145 members are urging the Province to reconsider all options and choose a bridge over a tunnel as the preferred solution.

Concrete BC supports constructing a bridge to replace the existing George Massey Tunnel. A bridge will provide for a safer long-term crossing of the Fraser River, provide lower environmental and social impact, cost less, is faster to build and provides an effective long-term solution for traffic flow as the region’s population grows. Concrete BC’s membership is responsible for hundreds to thousands of truck trips per day as they move concrete from their manufacturing plants to construction sites across our region. In doing so, employee and public safety is their top priority.

Concrete BC shares concerns expressed by the BC Trucking Association, Richmond Chamber of Commerce and Surrey Board of Trade, and respectfully disagrees with the Metro Vancouver Board’s November 1, 2019 support for an eight-lane immersed tube tunnel (ITT) option in the next iteration of consultations.

“The proposed ITT won’t sufficiently address the safety and congestion issues that impede the transportation demands of our industry and supply chain’s movement through this vital transportation artery,” said Carolyn Campbell, Executive Director of Concrete BC. “In our view, a bridge will be safer, can be built with a lower environmental and social impact, will eliminate the gridlock and support greater economic potential in the region and province.”

“Metro Vancouver’s own research estimates regional population growth will exceed a million people in just over two decades,” she added. “Forward-looking infrastructure is essential to ensuring industries like concrete can keep pace, create new jobs and continue to support a strong BC economy now and in the future.”

Consultations on the project to date have conveyed the urgency to move forward quickly and the desire to manage risk and cost. The facts are clear: an ITT will have a greater footprint and directly impact the Fraser River, take longer to construct, requires a higher level of construction risk than a bridge, and has yet to be costed.

With years of work and tens of millions in taxpayer dollars previously invested in planning and assessments for a new bridge, resuming the plans to construct a bridge will be the most expedient, cost-effective and enduring solution, serving the region for generations to come. As a region, we cannot wait any longer to carry out further studying and consultation on options – a replacement for the aging George Massey Tunnel is needed now.

About Concrete BC

Concrete BC membership includes ready-mixed concrete producers and suppliers to the industry in British Columbia. Concrete BC staff and member companies work cooperatively with all levels of government to ensure the ready-mixed concrete industry operates harmoniously within our communities and the environment. Concrete is required and used in virtually all infrastructure, both underground to safely convey stormwater and liquid waste, as well as being the foundation of virtually everything around us in the built environment. Nothing can be built today without concrete.