The federal government has signalled its support for Premier-designate Lorne Doerkson's plan to replace the aging George Massey Tunnel with a 10-lane bridge, marking a potential shift away from the outgoing BC NDP government's proposed eight-lane tunnel.
Federal Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon expressed support for the incoming BC Conservative government's preferred crossing during a news conference in Delta on Friday.
The remarks came during an announcement designating the $5.9-billion Roberts Bank Terminal 2 expansion as a project of national interest.
“Let me just say, we support crossing that river, whatever way the Premier tells us to. How about that? And if the Government of British Columbia says it wants to construct a bridge, we're for a bridge,” said MacKinnon.
The federal government's position comes months after Ottawa committed up to $3 billion toward the Fraser River Tunnel Project as part of a broader agreement with the province.
Under the Canada–BC Cooperative Prosperity Agreement, signed in July, the federal government committed to covering up to one-third of the project's capital costs, to a maximum of $3 billion.
The agreement also calls for detailed funding arrangements to be finalized by Dec. 1.
The outgoing BC NDP government had estimated the cost of the eight-lane tunnel at $8.5 billion, more than double the earlier $4.15-billion estimate.
During the provincial election campaign, Doerkson pledged to pursue a 10-lane bridge instead, arguing it would be a more cost-effective alternative to the tunnel.
The BC NDP secured up to $3B from Ottawa for a new Massey Tunnel.
— Sitka Media (@sitkamedia) October 16, 2026
BC Conservative leader Lorne Doerkson has vowed to build a bridge instead.
He says he’ll “work closely with the federal government to make sure we do everything we can to retain that funding.” pic.twitter.com/MTs6HtoKQo
The bridge proposal would revive an earlier plan introduced under the former BC Liberal government, which was cancelled after the BC NDP took office in 2017.
The BC NDP's tunnel project had already entered preliminary construction, with site preparation and utility relocation work beginning in January 2026.
Major construction was expected to begin in 2027, with completion anticipated in September 2031.
Eby responds to the BC Conservatives' promise to scrap the Massey Tunnel replacement in favour of a 10-lane bridge:
— Sitka Media (@sitkamedia) October 15, 2026
"How long is it going to take? How much is it going to cost? Are we going to lose the federal funding? Are you going to put tolls on it like the original plan?" pic.twitter.com/yIhBHe0Sl0
While MacKinnon's remarks signal Ottawa's willingness to work with the incoming government on a bridge, it remains unclear whether the existing federal funding commitment would be maintained under a revised project agreement.
A new construction budget, funding arrangement, and completion timeline for the proposed bridge have yet to be confirmed.
