IAIN BLACK WOULD CANCEL THE FAILED MASSEY TUNNEL AND BUILD A 10-LANE BRIDGE
Give British Columbians a Say in Naming the Bridge
RICHMOND, BC – After nearly a decade of delay, cost escalation, and political interference, BC Conservative leadership candidate Iain Black announced today that a government led by him would immediately cancel the failed George Massey Tunnel project and restore construction of the original 10-lane Massey Bridge — reversing what he called the NDP’s immature and politically motivated decision to scrap a shovel-ready solution and leave families and businesses stuck in traffic for years.
“After more than a decade of gridlock leading to missed ferries, family dinners and soccer practices because of NDP political gamesmanship, the people of Metro Vancouver deserve real leadership – not excuses and endless delays,” said Black. “The NDP cancelled a better, cheaper, ready-to-build bridge out of spite. Years later, commuters are still trapped in traffic with no budget certainty and an ever-changing timeline for completion.”
Black said that under his leadership, the project would move forward immediately and that he would give British Columbians a say in naming the bridge. “For my part, I would propose that the crossing be called the Sir John A. Macdonald Gateway — in honour of Canada’s first Prime Minister and his vision of connecting the country from sea to sea,” Black commented. But he made clear that he wants to hear from British Columbians to decide on a name. “This bridge should commemorate Canada’s history and its importance in linking lower mainland communities and connecting Canada with the world,” he noted. “This bridge will belong to all of us.”
Richmond MLA Teresa Wat said restoring the bridge is critical for her community.
“Richmond families and businesses have paid the price for this decision every single day,” said Wat. “Our community depends on reliable access to neighbouring cities, to ferries, to jobs, and to emergency services. We urgently need congestion relief and a crossing that actually works for the region.”
The original 10-lane bridge project, which would have been open by 2022, was estimated at $3.5 billion, with competitive bids as low as $2.6 billion before the NDP cancelled it in 2017.
Today’s NDP tunnel project — an eight-lane immersed tunnel — is now budgeted at more than $4 billion, with construction not expected to begin until 2026 and completion projected near 2030.
“Good government means making decisions based on evidence and common sense,” Black concluded. “The 10-lane bridge was always the right answer for the growing communities around it, and under my leadership, that’s exactly what we will deliver.”