The British Columbia Conservative Party has unveiled plans to replace the aging George Massey Tunnel in Metro Vancouver with a new 10-lane bridge if they win the election. This proposal would involve abandoning the NDP’s $8.5-billion eight-lane tunnel project. Conservative Leader Lorne Doerkson announced this initiative in a recent press release, criticizing the NDP for halting infrastructure development during their tenure.
The Conservatives have not disclosed the cost estimate for their proposed bridge, but they have criticized the NDP’s tunnel project as a costly venture that has experienced significant budget escalation. NDP Leader David Eby has condemned the Conservative plan, labeling it as unreasonable and warning of potential delays and financial setbacks, including the loss of a $3-billion federal government funding commitment.
The saga of replacing the George Massey Tunnel has been ongoing for over a decade. Initially, the B.C. Liberal government intended to construct a 10-lane bridge worth $3.5 billion. However, the NDP, led by John Horgan, scrapped this plan upon assuming power and later introduced their own proposal for a modern tunnel in 2021. Recent developments include the termination of a major design-build consortium contract and a revised completion date of 2031.
In addition to the bridge project, the B.C. Conservatives have promised to build a new women and children’s hospital in Surrey. While a 168-bed hospital and cancer center project in Surrey’s Cloverdale neighborhood is already in progress, its cost has escalated from $1.72 billion to $2.88 billion, with completion now scheduled for 2030. The Conservatives aim to finish the Cloverdale facility within budget and on schedule, although specifics about the proposed women and children’s hospital remain undisclosed.