WelcomeThank you for attending today’s Open House about the George Massey Tunnel Replacement Project. The purpose of this Open House is to:

• Share project information

• Answer your questions and hear your perspectives on the project

• Obtain your input

• Provide information on next steps

Please take some time to review the display boards, speak with the Project Team and complete a Feedback Form. For more information

after this Open House, please visit masseytunnel.ca

The George Massey Tunnel Replacement Project is a multi-stage planning initiative that will incorporate technical analysis and broad-based public input to ensure we have a timely solution in place to meet the growing needs of the communities, businesses and stakeholders that rely on the George Massey Tunnel.

By starting now, we maximize the potential to make the best decisions to benefit all British Columbians.

About the ProjectWe Are

Here

For more information after this Open House, please visit masseytunnel.ca

Understanding the NeedCurrent Phase

Phase 1 of consultation focuses on the following key areas to assist in understanding the need for the project:

• Community and provincial interests

• Crossing design elements

• Benefits and opportunities of a new crossing

• Connection to and support for local, regional, provincial and national growth and transportation plans

Your input from Phase 1 will help determine the collective interests that need to be considered in developing requirements and potential options for the George Massey Tunnel replacement, for further consultation in Phase 2: Exploring the Options.

South Fraser

Perimeter Road

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200

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Alex FraserBridge

Oak StreetBridgeArthur Laing

Bridge

QueensboroughBridge

Pattullo Bridge

George MasseyTunnel

Westham Island

Roberts Bank

Vancouver Landfill

Steveston

Tsawwassen First Nation

Tsawwassen

Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal

Deas Island Regional Park Tilbury

YVR

Burns Bog

Sunbury

Fraser SurreyDocks

South Surrey

CrescentBeach

Peace Arch

Border Crossing

Point Roberts

UBC

Port MannBridge

Lions Gate Bridge

IronworkersMemorial Bridge

Pitt RiverBridge

Golden EarsBridgeKnight Street

Bridge

Boundary BayAirport

Why Now?Planning for a Replacement

The Lower Mainland relies on the George Massey Tunnel• More than 80,000 vehicles use the tunnel each day, with lineups extending up to 5 kilometres during rush hour.

• The tunnel is an important connection to Lower Mainland destinations, including two of the Lower Mainland’s busiest employment centres: Richmond and Vancouver.

• The tunnel provides access to and from the Peace Arch border crossing, Tsawwassen ferry terminal and YVR, as well as to the Canada Line rapid transit service between Richmond and downtown Vancouver.

Aging Infrastructure – Doing nothing is not an option

At 22 metres below sea level, the tunnel is Canada’s lowest elevation crossing, yet it is too shallow to accommodate the navigational access needs of increasing ship sizes.

The George Massey Tunnel serves many users across the Lower Mainland.

Despite seismic upgrades in 2006, the tunnel currently has 10 – 15 years of serviceable life before major operating systems will need to be replaced.

The tunnel is the only major Fraser River crossing with a single lane of traffic in the off-peak direction.

With significant planned growth in communities on both sides of the Fraser, additional capacity is required to support trade, tourism and employment growth.

Who Uses the Tunnel?

How do you use the tunnel? Please see questions 1 – 7

in your Feedback Form.

Cyclists & Pedestrians Cyclists and pedestrians are not permitted to travel in the tunnel, as there are no shoulders and the sidewalks and lanes are narrow. The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure currently operates a year-round shuttle service to transport cyclists through the tunnel.

HOV and transit currently carry up to 46% of people through the tunnel.

Limited Peak Period Growth Over the past 10 years, average annual daily traffic volumes have seen minimal growth. This is attributed in large part to the fact that the tunnel is already at capacity for a good portion of the day, as well as to improved transit service.

Significant Off-Peak Growth The counterflow system was installed in 1981; however, a single traffic lane is no longer sufficient to manage off-peak direction volumes. Long lineups are causing congestion, which negatively affects employment growth, tourism and trade. Forecast Growth A number of proposed developments are expected to have a significant effect on tunnel demand in the future, including the following:

• Population growth in South Surrey, White Rock and Richmond

• Changes in traffic patterns resulting from the introduction of the South Fraser Perimeter Road

• A number of planned commercial/residential developments in Delta and South Surrey

• Proposed growth in container capacity at Port Metro Vancouver’s Roberts Bank terminal

• Proposed Developments at YVR, including plans to develop a new business park on Sea Island

Current and Future Growth

In planning for the replacement of the George Massey Tunnel, the life cycle and safety of the existing tunnel are key considerations.

Earthquake and Seismic Stability As part of the retrofit program in 2006, strengthening of the tunnel sections and connections was carried out to improve seismic stability. However, more work is needed to meet modern standards.

Traffic Safety The tunnel, including the Steveston Highway and Highway 17 interchanges at either end, experiences the highest rate of incidents along Highway 99. High accident rates combined with severe congestion significantly affect reliability of this corridor. The tunnel is also an important alternate route for emergency response and traffic rerouting in the event of an incident on other Fraser River crossings.

Have you been stuck in traffic at the tunnel? Please see questions 8 – 11 in your Feedback Form.

Life Cycle & Safetyof the Existing Tunnel

Community, Provincialand National Interests

Interest

Congestion Reduction Even with doubling of transit and modest increases in other modes of transportation such as carpooling, cycling and walking, additional capacity for cars will be required to accommodate all of the projected growth for the area.

Economic Development, Trade and Goods Movement

Metro Vancouver is an important economic gateway to the Asia-Pacific region - 80,000 jobs in the Lower Mainland rely on Port Metro Vancouver. Key factors to consider with this project include commercial and industrial development, and growth in marine shipping.

Land Use Any new crossing would need to be considered in the context of existing land use, access routes, origin and destination patterns, private property impacts and municipal development.

Environmental Protection Important environmental considerations for the George Massey Tunnel Replacement Project include air quality, emissions, and fish and wildlife habitats. Any form of replacement will include detailed environmental analysis and will require regulatory approval.

Agricultural Land Protection

Richmond and Delta are important agricultural areas and the Agricultural Land Commission would be involved in the review of proposed replacement options.

Recreation and Health The lower Fraser River is an important area for marine- and land-based recreation. While there may be some short-term effects associated with construction of a new crossing, the project may have the potential to create new recreational opportunities.

Community Livability Community livability interests such as accessibility, visual impacts and noise are key considerations in developing new infrastructure.

Heritage and Archaeology

The lower Fraser River is an important area for First Nations. The Project would consider potential archaeological sites and will consult with First Nations and heritage groups in determining an appropriate solution to the replacement of the tunnel.

Affordability and Cost The consultation and planning process will help confirm the scope, cost and affordability of the replacement project.

What do you think? Please see questions 12 – 13 in your Feedback Form.

A number of existing provincial and regional plans provide context for determining the most appropriate solution for a replacement of the existing tunnel. These include:

BC Jobs Plan Consideration will be given to supporting economic opportunities and job growth.

Provincial Transit Plan Consideration will be given to increasing transit share in Metro Vancouver from 11 to 17 per cent by 2020.

Transport 2040 – TransLink’s Long-Range Transportation Strategy Consideration will be given to supporting strategies to keep people and our economy moving by focusing on providing opportunities for people to limit automobile use.

Metro Vancouver’s Regional Growth Strategy: Metro Vancouver 2040 – Shaping our Future Consideration will be given to enhancing the livability and sustainability of the region, including protecting industrial lands and guiding transit infrastructure investment.

Port 2050 Consideration will be given to supporting Port Metro Vancouver’s vision to be the most efficient and sustainable gateway for customers, benefiting communities locally and across the nation.

Towards a Solution

Thank you for participating in Phase 1 of the consultation for the George Massey Tunnel Replacement Project.

Your feedback is important. Please take some time today to complete a Feedback Form, or visit masseytunnel.ca to view consultation materials and complete an online Feedback Form.

We also encourage you to sign up at masseytunnel.ca to receive ongoing project updates, including details about Phase 2 consultation, which is planned for early 2013.

Help us understand more about who you are.Please see questions 18 – 29 in your Feedback Form.

Thank You. Please Stay Involved.

For more information after this Open House, please visit masseytunnel.ca

Draft design considerations have been identified for use in developing potential options for replacing the George Massey Tunnel. They reflect the tunnel’s importance to the community, provincial and national interests, as well as best practices in design engineering.

• Alignment with community, regional and national objectives

• Support for transportation alternatives

• Congestion reduction

• Jobs and economic growth

• Climate change adaptation and environmental protection

• Agricultural lands

• Community livability

• Cost

Key Design Considerations

What do you think? Please see questions 14 – 17 in your Feedback Form.