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The Corporation of Delta F.02 COUNCIL REPORT Regular Meeting To: Mayor and Council File No.: 5220-30/GMTR From: Engineering Department Date: January 11, 2016 George Massey Tunnel Replacement Project: Project Definition Report The following report has been reviewed and endorsed by the Chief Administrative Officer. II RECOMMENDATION: THAT this report be received for information . .. PURPOSE: The purpose of this report is to provide an update on therelease of the Project Definition Report ("the Report") and the commencement of the third phase of consultation on the George Massey Tunnel Replacement Project ("the Project"). II BACKGROUND: Since the initiation of the Project in 2012, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure Ministry ("the Ministry") has held two rounds of public consultation, in 2012 and in 2013. The most recent consultation in 2013 "Exploring the Options" confirmed that the preferred solution was to replace the tunnel with a new bridge. The Highway 99 Corridor is a key component of the regional and provincial transportation system, and the existing George Massey Tunnel ("the Tunnel"), built in 1959, is currently over capacity and no longer meets modern seismic standards. II DISCUSSION: Project Definition Report The Report was released on December 16, 2015 (Attachment A) and is now available for public comment. It presents the Ministry's vision for replacing the Tunnel and related Highway 99 improvements between Bridgeport Road in Richmond and Highway 91 in Delta. The Report provides details on the proposed bridge which is being designed to accommodate 10 lanes in total, five in each direction. The five lanes will consist of three general traffic lanes, a lane for slow moving trucks and a dedicated transit/HOV Page 2 of 3 George Massey Tunnel Replacement Project: Project Definition Report 5220-30/GMTR January ii, 2016 lane. In addition, the bridge will include a separated multi-use path for pedestrians and cyclists. The Highway 99 improvements (Attachment B) will include construction of up to 50 kilometres of dedicated transit/HOY lanes between Bridgeport Road in Richmond and Highway 91 in Delta, a southbound ramp exit connecting to River Road South and the replacement of the Highway 17 A interchange. A new overpass will also be built at the Matthews Interchange and at 112 Street. The estimated capital cost for the Project is $3.5 billion. The Project aims to reduce congestion that commuters currently face each day, and offers long-term options for transportation improvements in the region. Currently almost 60 percent of daily vehicle trips through the Tunnel are between Richmond and the communities south of the Fraser River. On completion of the Project it is estimated that journey times for commuters could be reduced by up to 30 minutes a day. Two public open houses are scheduled to take place, on January 26 and 272016. The public open house for Delta will take place on January 27 in the Delta Town and Country Inn from 2-8 p.m. The public comment period is open from December 16,2015 until January 28, 2016. As a key stakeholder, staff meets with the Ministry on a bi weekly basi,s and will continue to provide feedback on the Project as it progresses. The planned raised alignment of Highway 99 at River Road will allow the Corporation of Delta to extend River Road South eastward under the approach ramp, thus providing a secondary access between Ladner and Highway 99. Staff has included the design for this improved municipal road network in the 5 Year Capital Plan. Other Updates Environmental Assessment The Project has triggered an Environmental Assessment under the BC Environmental Assessment Act; however, a federal assessment under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act is not required as the Project does not meet the threshold for review. As part of the pre-application process, the BC Environmental Assessment Office is seeking public comments until February 15, 2016. The associated BC Environmental Assessment Office public open house will take place concurrently with the dates and locations scheduled for the Project Definition Report, noted above. A report on this subject along with staff comments will be provided at the February 1, 2016 Regular Meeting of Council. BC Hydro Prior to commencing the bridge construction, BC Hydro will need to remove the power lines from within the Tunnel. It is anticipated that construction to move the power lines will commence by mid 2016. Page 3 of 3 George Massey Tunnel Replacement Project: Project Definition Report 5220-30/GMTR January 11 , 2016 Im pli cations: Financial Implications - There are no financial implications to Delta. Community Implications - There are no immediate implipation,s to Delta at this time. • CONCLUSION : The commencement of the third phase of public consultation as part of the George Massey Tunnel Replacement Project is now underway. Steven Lan, P. Eng. Director of Engineering Department submission prepared by: Liesl Fox, C.Eng., Assistant Transportation Engineer I· LF/bm/l1 This report has been prepared in con sultation with the following listed departments. Concurring Departments Department Name Signature Human Resources & Corporate Sean McGill Planning ~ Climate Action & Environment Mike Brotherston /V·~ r • ATTACHMENTS : A. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure's Project Definition Report B. Highway 99 Upgrade Draft Concept December 2015 1 .\[llql?OI6 Dc)!' \1 r : 01Gld II ('<)tll" Ii 1\ I'uri., 'Ill( 01 I (Iv1fr~ PrOI)ct [lrflrlltlo" I~f POlt Jdll "nk'\l~1 (,I\llTR f' "J d n filii )r,i\ F<"'pr,,, 01 OilS 1(" ~II\ Hl.l} J J I 'r'l Jr' lllt>.:?· '8 I', ',,'1 Attachment A Page 1 of 48 '\ " .. ,."ea!Jefilifr:; ,~eo This Project Definition Report for the George MasseyTunnel Replacement Project presents the Ministry ofTransportation and Infrastructure's vision, rationale and plans for improving a key section of the Highway 99 corridor and replacing the Tunnel with a new bridge to serve current and future transportation needs. Final decisions will be made based on feedback received during Phase 3 consultation, along with remaining technical studies and the environmental review. The Ministry has a mandate to develop transportation strategies that move people and goods safely and grow our provincial economy. In developing this report, the Ministry consulted widely, gaining insight from municipalities, First Nations, Metro Vancouver, TransLink, the agricultural community, environmental groups, first responders, recreational groups, local businesses, local residents, marine users, cyclists, other stakeholders and the general public. The Ministry also conducted planning, engineering, geotechnical and environmental analyses; worked with engineering, environmental and other subject-matter experts; and collected data on historic, current and forecast population and economic growth, and on traffic patterns. Supporting plans, consultation and analyses are outlined in Appendix A. The Ministry acknowledges the efforts of many stakeholders and partners, including First Nations, and municipal and TransLink staff members, who met regularly with the Project Team to discuss respective plans and provide insight into Project development. The Ministry also thanks all who have taken the time to share their views on this Project to date, and invites everyone to offer comments on this Project Definition Report. Please see below for information about how to share your feedback. .,,/11 To share your feedback: Data collection and analysis Additional data collection Online: masseytunnel.ca Compile background studies Technical studies Email: [email protected] Phone: 1-8-555-MASSEY (1-855-562-7739) n person or bv mail at: PROCUREMENT Project Office "U» George MasseyTunnel Replacement Project [U ~ co ru Ironwood Plaza CD (") ",= CONSTRUCTION 2030 -" 662 Steveston Highway o 3 Rich mond, Be V7 A 1N6 _CD co»~~ ar'J!e'"" ;JefinitJf)J1 !leper unchanged, then by 2045, peak-period queues will be three to five times longer than PROJECT OVERVIEW they are today. There will be more than a threefold increase in travel delays and a rush "hour" lasting at least four to six hours. The George MasseyTunnel is an important link in the regional and provincial The Alex Fraser Bridge, which opened in 1986 on Highway 91, has absorbed much of transportation system, carrying an average of 80,000 vehicles each day. ! It connects the growth in rush-hour traffic south of the Fraser River. However, traffic has increased to key gateways such as Vancouver International Airport (YVR), the Peace Arch and to the point where both the Tunnel and the Alex Fraser Bridge face significant PaCific Canada-U.s. border crossings, BC Ferries' Tsawwassen terminal, Deltaport and peak-direction congestion and delays during rush hours. the Boundary Bay Airport. It is a vital goods movement route that fuels our local, regional, provincial and national econom ies, and a key access point for businesses in With economic development south and north of the Fraser River continuing, and Delta, Surrey, Richmond, and Tsawwassen First Nation. population and employment forecast to rise in the communities of Delta, Richmond, Surrey and Tsawwassen First Nation, TransLink's Regional Transportation Model Since the Tunnel opened in 1959, Metro Vancouver's population and economy have forecasts that traffic volumes through the Tunnel will grow over time. This includes grown, and its population is forecast to continue to grow by more than one million significant growth in truck traffic, which is expected to double in the next thirty 2 people over the next 30 years Without improvements to this crossing, economic years3 With no room at the Tunnel to accommodate this additional traffic during rush growth and regional livability will be constrained by congestion and increasing travel hour, new trips will have to be made before or after the rush hour at the Tunnel and times for commuters, goods movers, commercial traffic and other traffic. the Alex Fraser Bridge, creating heavy congestion in all directions and constraining economic growth. With growing concerns about public safety and congestion in and near the Tunnel, in 2012, the government of B.C.