VICTORIA—B.C. is inviting the public to comment on the Massey Tunnel replacement project as part of the province’s environmental assessment approval process.
In addition to replacing the old tunnel, the Fraser River Tunnel Project would also include a multi-use pathway, providing an active transportation connection for the first time at this location. The existing tunnel would be removed once the new immersed tube tunnel is complete.
The project is subject to review under B.C.’s Environmental Assessment Act, and an environmental assessment certificate is required for the project to move forward.
This first public comment period held by the Environmental Assessment Office runs until June 9. People are invited to provide feedback about how they want to be engaged throughout the environmental assessment process and to identify key interests and issues with project design or location.
Feedback provided during this early engagement will be used to inform the planning and development of the project throughout all stages of the environmental assessment.
The Environmental Assessment Office will hold additional public consultation periods in future phases of the environmental assessment to seek input on more detailed information.
Information about participation for in-person and online public comment opportunities can be found here: www.gov.bc.ca/EAOPublicComments
Project team members and Environmental Assessment Office staff will be available at the sessions to provide information and answer questions about the project and the process.
First off, I am very disappointed that a tunnel has been decided on. This is fir two reasons. The first is that the opportunity to build an iconic structure (that effectively says “Welcome to Canada” was lost; the second is that this decision says ships of such and such a size can use the Port of Vancouver Fraser Port, but nothing larger (which will likely be the case before the tunnel is completed.) Considering the already existing issue with the Lions Gate Bridge restricting access to Vancouver by large cruise ships, I would have thought this would be a consideration. I expect this will be a consideration immediately and a real issue in not more than 10 years. Too bad such an interesting situation was handled so blandly and blindly.