The B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure is holding an open house in Richmond for public comments on the environmental impact of the planned bridge at the George Massey Tunnel crossing.
While the provincial government has already stated a new $3.5 billion, 10-lane bridge will be built by 2022, the Ministry must still obtain an environmental assessment certificate from the B.C. Environmental Assessment Office (EAO).
Part of the requirement in obtaining said certificate is to hold an open house for the public, which will take place in Richmond on Tuesday, Jan. 26, at the Sandman Signature Hotel Vancouver Airport (10251 Edwards Drive), from 2-8 p.m.
Another open house will take place Wednesday, Jan. 27, at the Delta Town & Country Hotel (6005 Highway 17A), from 2-8 p.m.
The EAO also accepts comments online at eao.gov.gc/pcp/index.html.
The comment period begins this Friday and ends Feb. 15.
The meetings and comment period are intended to identify potential environmental, social, economic, heritage and health effects of the bridge project, in order to include them in an environmental assessment.
The Ministry has released online a 40-page document titled “Project Description and Key Areas of Study.”
Some key areas of study include river dredging, fish habitat, wildlife habitat, air quality, noise and human health.
While the document states it is studying the impact of the tunnel removal on the river’s salinity (and thus the ability for farmers to draw water from the river) it notes: “The absence of the tunnel is expected to result in minimal change in sediment deposition and erosion patterns in the area, and on the tidally induced movement of saltwater in the Fraser River.”
As for the impact of the project on underwater noise affecting marine life, the study will be limited to construction-related activities.
The EAO will also assess the impact to vegetation in the area, as well as the quality of life in riparian areas.
The document contends air quality will also be improved in the area as congestion will be cleared.
The Ministry is also studying baseline noise levels in nearby neighbourhoods.
The Ministry has stated that the bridge will not experience congestion until at least 2045.
George Massey Tunnel replacement
