Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Todd Stone has made the following statement about public engagement and transparency on the George Massey Tunnel Replacement Project.

“We are moving ahead to replace the George Massey Tunnel, and construction is on track to begin in 2017. This section of Highway 99 is B.C.’s worst traffic bottleneck and costs many commuters significant delays every day, as they wait to get through the tunnel. The bridge and associated Highway 99 improvements will significantly improve the movement of people and goods on a highway that’s important to commuters and vital to the Asia-Pacific Gateway.

“Every major capital project begins with a vision and a statement of intent to move forward. That statement was made in 2012, and since then, officials have been involved in consultation and technical analysis to define the scope and business requirements for this new bridge.

“Since the project’s inception, the Province has been open and transparent throughout the process, posting a number of documents on our project’s website, including detailed summaries of the previous two phases of public consultation and the evaluation of the five crossing scenarios put forward to the public for consultation.

“Consultation and public engagement is vital for any project of this magnitude. The public’s input and the detailed and technical information that is available on our engagement site is needed to inform the replacement project’s scope, design and business case.

“We’ve held two phases of public engagement that have involved 2,000 participants, with a third planned for this fall. And we have engaged in extensive stakeholder briefings and engagement.

“As part of the stakeholder engagement, local MLAs and municipalities have received regular updates and project materials from the project team on our progress.

“In the coming weeks, we will be launching the final phase of consultations on this important project, and with it the Project Definition Report and the business case. We will continue to ensure that the public and stakeholders continue to receive the most current information on the George Massey Tunnel replacement project.”

For more information on the George Massey Tunnel, and for access to technical and consultation documents, go to: www.masseytunnel.ca