British Columbia Releases RFQ for $3.1B Vancouver Tunnel Project

British Columbia Releases RFQ for $3.1B Tunnel Project

B.C. officials say an eight-lane tunnel with dedicated bus lanes and separate tube for pedestrians and cyclists would improve traffic glow on both sides of the Fraser River south of Vancouver.

Rendering courtesy of British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure

The British Columbia government is seeking contractors to replace the aging George Massey Tunnel with a new crossing to carry the province’s Highway 99 under the Fraser River south of Vancouver.

The plan calls for construction of an eight-lane immersed tube tunnel between Deas Island and Richmond, B.C., to replace the existing four-lane, 2,064-ft-long tunnel completed in 1959. The site is located about a half-hour drive from the U.S. border.

The new tunnel would include more general purpose lanes plus dedicated bus lanes and a separate tube for pedestrians and cyclists. British Columbia officials issued an RFQ for the project June 14.

The scope of work also includes replacing the Deas Slough Bridge with a new eight-lane bridge, replacing and realigning road and railroad overpasses over the north portal approach, construction of a tunnel operations building and decommissioning of the existing tunnel once its replacement is operational. British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure officials estimate the cost at about $3.1 billion.

Officials have been considering plans for a new Massey Tunnel for years, with a previous province administration canceling planned construction. Rob Fleming, minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, called the RFQ “a major milestone” in a statement.

“We are making significant progress on this important project that will improve travel times and transit options for people who live on both sides of the Fraser River,” Fleming said.

Responses to the RFQ are due by Sept. 14. Province Transportation and Infrastructure officials are planning to use a progressive design-build with target price model for the project, documents show. Following the RFQ, they plan to shortlist as many as three qualified bidders to invite to respond to an RFP for a design early works agreement. One of those firms would then be selected to concurrently work on a design-build RFP.

The plans for the tunnel itself are part of a program of projects aimed at improving travel through the Highway 99 corridor. A $66.4-million project to rebuild the Highway 99-Steveston Highway interchange, led by Flatiron Constructors Canada Ltd., is also under construction and due to complete in 2025. A new southbound connection for buses has opened and bus-on-shoulder lanes south of the tunnel are also under construction.

The new tunnel is planned to open in 2030.

James Leggate is an online news editor at ENR. He has reported on a variety of issues for more than 10 years and his work has contributed to several regional Associated Press Media Editors and Murrow award wins.