News release: GVBOT reaction to Massey Tunnel replacement delay

For Immediate Release
Dec. 17, 2018

VANCOUVER, B.C. — The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade is disappointed by today’s announcement that the George Massey Tunnel Replacement Project will be further delayed by at least another two years.

Earlier today, B.C.’s Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Claire Trevena announced that the provincial government is going back to the drawing board by undertaking a new feasibility study on the tunnel’s replacement. Minister Trevena gave the timeline of Fall 2020 for the new business case to be completed. 

“The current George Massey Tunnel is one of the worst traffic bottlenecks in our region — if not our entire province — and it has negative impacts on residents, tourists, and local businesses,” said Hon. Iain Black, President and CEO of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade. “Business organizations across our region have been calling for a replacement for the aging tunnel for years, yet here we are at the end of 2018, and the conversation is stalled.”

In July 2016, the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, Richmond Chamber of Commerce and Delta Chamber of Commerce penned a joint op-ed in support of the proposed 10-lane bridge. Our position remains unchanged that a 10-lane bridge is the best long-term solution for our region, particularly given that an estimated one million additional people are expected to move to Greater Vancouver over the next two decades.

“We need to consider what is best in the long-term for our rapidly growing region,” said Black. “We cannot afford to be short-sighted on this matter. The Highway 99 corridor plays a crucial role in our economy, given that it connects our region to the U.S. Interstate highway system, the B.C. Ferries terminal in Tsawwassen, the Deltaport container terminal, and Vancouver International Airport. We need to take urgent steps to fix the bottleneck and replace this aging piece of critical infrastructure.”

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About the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade:

Since its inception in 1887, the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade has been recognized as Pacific Canada’s leading business association, engaging members to impact public policy at all levels of government and to succeed and prosper in the global economy. With a Membership whose employees comprise one-third of B.C.’s workforce, we are the largest business association between Victoria and Toronto. We leverage this collective strength, facilitating networking opportunities, and providing professional development through four unique Signature Programs. In addition, we operate one of the largest events programs in the country, providing a platform for national and international thought leaders to enlighten B.C.’s business leaders.

Media contact:

Greg Hoekstra
Communications Manager
Greater Vancouver Board of Trade
604-640-5450 | media@boardoftrade.com