PowerPoint Presentation Item F.11 Regular Meeting August 14, 2017 Page 1 of 9 Provincial Review of the George Massey Tunnel Replacement Project August 14, 2017 Regular Meeting of Council
Page 2 of 9 Background • July 10, 2017 Regular Meeting – report ‘The Public Safety and Economic Imperative for the George Massey Tunnel Replacement Project’ • July 27, 2017 – Mayor and CAO were denied request to make presentation to Mayors’ Council on Regional Transportation • July 28, 2017 – Mayor and CAO approved to make presentation to Metro Vancouver Board • August 3, 2017 – Mayor, CAO, Chief Constable met with Minister of Transportation & Infrastructure
Page 3 of 9 Recommendations for new BC government • Take time to make informed decision regarding George Massey Tunnel Replacement Project • Address current tunnel safety concerns, ensure tunnel functions safely while in use • Review and comment on significance of Hwy 99 as lifeline corridor for earthquake emergency response • Review options for tunnel decommissioning, including option to leave tunnel in place • Delta staff to provide whatever assistance required to facilitate process
Page 4 of 9 Time for Review • New BC government should extend contract award process for new bridge to review all technical information and project rationale • 145 technical and scientific reports = 14,000 pages – New BC government should make its own informed decision
Page 5 of 9 Immediate Safety Concerns • Any replacement option is at least 5 years away • Immediate safety issues include: – Electrical system deficits: Original system still in use despite 30 year design life; may fail without warning, difficult or impossible to obtain parts – Deteriorating concrete: netting has been installed to prevent spalling concrete falling into traffic – Frequent damage to sprinkler system due to insufficient over-height vehicle warning system – Ageing ventilation system is causing extremely poor air quality inside the tunnel
Page 6 of 9 Lifeline Corridor • Hwy 99 is classified as a ‘critical’ and ‘key’ route for disaster response • Only Hwy 99 and Hwy 1 are ‘lifeline corridors’ • Lifeline corridors provide: – Critical access to staging areas like major airports – First priority for initial reconnaissance and road response and restoration • Delta is seeking review and comment on the significance of the Hwy 99 corridor for emergency response
Page 7 of 9 Tunnel Decommissioning • Current proposal includes decommissioning and removing the tunnel once bridge is open • Other options exist, including leaving the tunnel in place (potentially allowing it to fill with water), which may: – Be less costly – Be less environmentally damaging – Address concerns related to dredging the Fraser River to accommodate larger ships
Page 8 of 9 Conclusion • Immediate action is needed to: – Alleviate tunnel traffic congestion – Improve transit and alternative transportation options south of the Fraser River – Address seismic, emergency response, and public safety concerns • The new BC government should be afforded the opportunity to make its own informed assessment of the alternative options regarding the George Massey Tunnel replacement
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