Delta calls for third-party review of B.C.’s decision to look for new contractors for Massey Tunnel replacement

Motorists exit and enter the George Massey Tunnel in Richmond, B.C., on Friday, August 20, 2021. (Darryl Dyck / The Canadian Press)

Delta city council wants a third-party review of the province’s decision to walk away from the contract in place to build a replacement for the Massey Tunnel.

Councillor and mayoral candidate Dylan Kruger made that call during Monday’s council meeting, getting backing at city hall to send a letter to the province with that demand.

“We have to remember that we could have opened a brand new 10-lane bridge three years ago,” Kruger told CTV News in an interview on Tuesday. “Instead, we’re going back to square one on a procurement process for a tunnel that was supposed to start major construction this week.”

It’s a sentiment shared by Delta Mayor George Harvie, who—like Kruger—at one point backed this new tunnel.

“I understand that the province was concerned about the costs,” Harvie told CTV News. “But what’s it going to be when you try to do the procurement with smaller companies? I question whether companies in B.C., Delta and also Canada—do they have the skillset to actually form tubes and to sink the tubes in the river?”

Both Kruger and Harvie expressed concern about the lack of these types of tunnels built in Canada, and whether there is expertise to do it locally at an affordable cost.

On Monday, the province announced its decision to use an exit clause in its contract with the existing consortium. Pomerleau, one of the companies that was part of the group, would not agree to an interview on Tuesday, but sent a brief statement.

“We acknowledge and respect the province’s decision,” reads the statement, in part. “As a Canadian company with strong roots in British Columbia, Pomerleau—a partner in the Cross Fraser Partnership consortium—has been proud to contribute to the successful delivery of the first phase of the Fraser River Tunnel Project.”

“We are entirely committed to fulfilling our current obligations through to completion and intend to actively participate in upcoming procurement opportunities.”

The transportation minister insists a tunnel is the way to go—and that a third-party review isn’t necessary—saying the government already consulted outside experts before deciding to pursue new contractors.

“We, in fact, did consult extensively with independent, third-party experts involved in design, construction and, in fact, marine construction as well,” Transportation Minister Mike Farnworth told CTV News on Tuesday at his home. “So, there was a lot of third-party work, a lot of analysis in terms of all aspects before this decision was made.”

The province insists the search for new contractors won’t delay the project further or add costs.

The price is pegged at $4.15 billion, but that figure is from 2021.

The government has not publicly released a revised budget, but it promises to do so once new contractors have been selected.