A document obtained by CTV News shows the B.C. government was anticipating an $8.5 billion price tag for the Massey Tunnel replacement as early as December 2025, but the higher estimate was not reflected in the provincial budget released two months later. The memo from the Office of the Premier, dated Dec. 11, 2025, indicated that the B.C. N.D.P. Government expected the cost of the Fraser River Tunnel Project to double from its original $4.15 billion budget. But months later, the February 2026 provincial budget continued to list the project at about $4.15 billion, while noting the estimate was being updated as design work and contract negotiations progressed. Trevor Halford, the B.C. Conservative candidate for Surrey-White Rock, said the higher estimate should have been reflected in February’s budget. “Well, if this number was known in December of 2025 and the budget comes out in February of 2026, most people would think that number should be reflected in the 2026 budget, and the premier chose not to include that,” he told CTV News. The December memo was prepared as B.C. sought a federal contribution of $4.25 billion to cover half the cost of the tunnel’s target price. It cited rising material and service costs, a lengthy environmental assessment process, and the expense of specialized marine equipment and subcontractors as reasons for the increase. The document also said the project’s expected completion had shifted from 2030 to 2031. “The premier chose again to try and mislead British Columbians,” said Halford. “But now at election time, he’s been caught in another lie.” Eby defended the government’s handling of the cost estimate, saying major infrastructure projects are facing rising costs. “British Columbians have seen costs for everything go up. That’s no different for major infrastructure projects,” he said. And he explained the higher estimate was not included in February’s budget because the project cost had not been finalized and the government was still assessing bids. “We’re seeing bids come in, significantly lower than the original costing.” The province did not publicly announce the revised $8.5-billion estimate until July 2026, five months after the budget was released. The Fraser River Tunnel Project would replace the aging George Massey Tunnel on Highway 99, which the December memo says serves more than 80,000 vehicles a day.
