Mayors, First Nations chiefs pen letter to premier demanding Massey Tunnel solution

A group of leaders in Metro Vancouverhave penned a letter to B.C. Premier John Horgan demanding an expeditedsolutionto ease congestion along the George Massey Tunnel corridor.

The mayors of Delta, Richmond, Surrey, Vancouverand White Rock, and the chiefs of the Musqueam Indian Band and Tsawwassen First Nation have signed the letter asking the province to take "immediate action."

"With the timelines currently being contemplated by the province, construction on a new crossing may not be completed before 2030 a delay that greatly impacts the lives of tens of thousands of residents who make use of the tunnel each day, and the overall liveablity of our region," the letter read.

The 59-year-old tunnel, which connects Richmond and Delta, is routinely described as one of the worst traffic bottlenecks in the province.

There have been a number of suggestions put forward as a replacement to the aging route, including a 10-lane bridge.

The previous B.C. Liberal government started preliminary work on thebridge in 2017, but the NDP cancelled the $3.5 billion project shortly after it was elected.

The letter asks that only tunnel solutions be pursued, a significant change for Delta, which hadpreviously been a strong proponent of the bridge.

Mayor George Harviesays he wanted to support a solution that worked for the region and his constituents.

"The fact the original contract for the bridge was cancelled changed everything," Harvie said.

"We need a regional solution working together with all the mayors ... The constituents that I talked to just want a solution to the problem and they want it as soon as possible."

The provincial government has saidthere will be nofinal decision on Massey Tunneluntil the fall of 2020.

The group also asked for increased transit funding in the meantime to ease congestion.

When asked for a response at a news conference Thursday, Premier John Horgansaid he would do his "level best" to meet a 2026 completiondate.