It opened in 1959 for $16.6M. Replacing it has been announced, priced, cancelled and re-planned ever since. Here is every step, with where each number comes from.
Where it stands, Nov 14, 2026
As of November 14, 2026, early construction on the eight-lane Fraser River Tunnel Project continues under existing contracts, work the Province said would create about 200 jobs in 2026, but the main construction contracts have not been awarded and the environmental assessment certificate has not been issued. The Conservative Party of BC, which won the October 24 election after pledging to build a 10-lane bridge instead, is to take office on November 20 and has said it will review the project and its alternatives. The outgoing government has been asked to make no new tunnel-specific commitments during the transition, and the Ministry has said none will be made.
Each bar is what that plan was priced at when it was announced. Dollars of the day, not adjusted for inflation.
The tunnel itself Built
Mar 1957 to May 23, 1959
4 lanes · Tunnel · What it cost to build, in 1959 dollars
10-lane bridge Cancelled
Sep 20, 2013 to Dec 17, 2018
10 lanes · Bridge · $66M spent (the Province's figure in September 2017, plus about $25M by BC Hydro to move a power line)
8-lane tunnel, 2021 budget Revised
Aug 18, 2021 to Jul 6, 2026
8 lanes · Tunnel · To open in 2030. An 8-lane bridge was priced at $4.22B and not chosen
8-lane tunnel, 2026 budget Under way
Jul 6, 2026 to now
8 lanes · Tunnel · $581M spent (to June 30, 2026, the last official report)
10-lane bridge pledge Proposed
Oct 15, 2026 to now
10 lanes · Bridge · The Conservative Party's figure; no costing has been published
From the Province's own status reports. No newer figure has been published since June 2026.
53 moments, oldest first. Pick a colour to follow one thread: only the reversals, only the money.
BuiltSocial Credit (Premier W.A.C. Bennett)
Work started in March 1957 on a four-lane immersed tube tunnel under the Fraser River, built from six precast concrete sections.
History to the People, The persistent tunnel vision of British Columbia's George Massey (2011)Wikipedia, George Massey Tunnel
BuiltSocial Credit (Premier W.A.C. Bennett)
The first cars drove through the Deas Island Tunnel on May 23, 1959. It cost $16.6 million to build, and drivers paid a 25-cent toll in its first years.
$16.6Mconstruction cost (1959 dollars)
History to the People, The persistent tunnel vision of British Columbia's George Massey (2011)Wikipedia, George Massey Tunnel
MilestonesSocial Credit (Premier W.A.C. Bennett)
The official opening ceremony was held on July 15, 1959.
BC Geographical Names, George Massey TunnelHighway 99 Tunnel Program, HistoryHistory to the People, The persistent tunnel vision of British Columbia's George Massey (2011)
MoneySocial Credit (Premier W.A.C. Bennett)
The tolls came off in 1964. George Massey, the former Delta MLA who had campaigned for the tunnel, paid the last one days before he died on April 8, 1964.
As reported in the news; not from an official record.
Highway 99 Tunnel Program, HistoryBC Geographical Names, George Massey TunnelHistory to the People, The persistent tunnel vision of British Columbia's George Massey (2011)
MilestonesSocial Credit (Premier W.A.C. Bennett)
Premier W.A.C. Bennett announced the renaming of the Deas Island Tunnel in honour of George Massey.
BC Geographical Names, George Massey TunnelHighway 99 Tunnel Program, History
TrafficSocial Credit (Premier Bill Bennett)
A reversible lane gave three lanes to the rush-hour direction. The Province dates it to 1982 southbound, with northbound added in 1990; a 1981 newspaper report puts the start a year earlier.
As reported in the news; not from an official record.
Highway 99 Tunnel Program, HistoryBC Gov News, release 2015TRAN0181 (Dec. 16, 2015)Wikipedia, George Massey Tunnel
BuiltBC Liberal (Premier Gordon Campbell)
A two-year, $22.5 million structural seismic reinforcement of the tunnel began in 2004. The project site describes the 2006 work as limited seismic upgrades.
$22.5Mseismic reinforcement (phase 1)
BC Gov News, release 2015TRAN0181 (Dec. 16, 2015)Highway 99 Tunnel Program, History
BuiltBC Liberal (Premier Gordon Campbell)
A seismic early warning system went in, in place of the second phase of ground strengthening that had been planned.
As reported in the news; not from an official record.
BC Gov News, release 2015TRAN0181 (Dec. 16, 2015)Wikipedia, George Massey Tunnel
PlansBC Liberal (Premier Christy Clark)
Christy Clark told the Union of B.C. Municipalities that the Province would begin planning a replacement for the tunnel. Public consultation ran from November 2012 to April 2013.
BC Gov News, release 2012PREM0118 (Sept. 28, 2012)BC Gov News, release 2013PREM0095 (Sept. 20, 2013)
PlansBC Liberal (Premier Christy Clark)
The Province announced the tunnel would be replaced by a new bridge on the existing Highway 99 corridor, with construction to begin in 2017.
MoneyBC Liberal (Premier Christy Clark)
Transportation Minister Todd Stone released the project definition report and business case for a 10-lane bridge about 3 km long, three new interchanges and Highway 99 widening, estimated at $3.5 billion and funded by tolls.
$3.5Bestimate (10-lane bridge)
MilestonesBC Liberal (Premier Christy Clark)
Provincial ministers issued an environmental assessment certificate for the 10-lane bridge with 33 conditions. The scope included decommissioning the existing tunnel.
BuiltBC Liberal (Premier Christy Clark)
The Province marked the start of construction with two site-preparation contracts for ditch work and sand preload: $11.5 million (Hall Constructors) and $5.8 million (B&B Heavy Civil Construction). The bridge was to open in 2022.
$17.3Min site preparation contracts ($3.5B project)
BC Gov News, George Massey Tunnel replacement construction officially underway (April 5, 2017)
ReversalsBC NDP (Premier John Horgan)
The Province cancelled the procurement for the bridge and announced an independent technical review. It said it had spent approximately $66 million on the project, BC Hydro about $25 million on moving a transmission line, and that each of the two final bidding teams would be paid up to $2 million.
$66MAbout $66M spent by the Province to Sept. 2017 (plus about $25M by BC Hydro)
MilestonesBC NDP (Premier John Horgan)
The Province named Stan Cowdell of Westmar Project Advisors to lead the independent technical review, with a report expected in spring 2018.
BC Gov News, George Massey crossing technical review underway (Nov. 1, 2017)
BuiltBC NDP (Premier John Horgan)
The Ministry said sand placed to compress soil for the bridge would stay until about the end of 2018 and then be reused. Global News reported the sand and new ditches cost $17 million.
$17Mfor sand preload and ditches (as reported by Global News)
As reported in the news; not from an official record.
ReversalsBC NDP (Premier John Horgan)
The Province released the independent review, which found six or eight lanes would handle most forecast traffic and that an immersed tube tunnel could be cost-competitive with a bridge. The Province said it would consult the region and prepare a new business case by fall 2020, and committed about $40 million for interim tunnel safety work.
$40Minterim safety improvements to the existing tunnel
Global News, Dec. 17, 2018 (Massey Tunnel report released)Province of BC, Independent Technical Review of the George Massey Crossing, presentation (Dec. 2018)Province of BC / TI Corp, George Massey Crossing technical briefing (Aug. 18, 2021)
PlansBC NDP (Premier John Horgan)
A task force of Metro Vancouver mayors and councillors chose an eight-lane immersed tube tunnel, with two lanes for transit, from six options.
PlansBC NDP (Premier John Horgan)
The Metro Vancouver board of directors endorsed the eight-lane immersed tube tunnel, subject to conditions it set for the Province.
Global News, Nov. 1, 2019 (Metro Vancouver board endorsement)Province of BC / TI Corp, George Massey Crossing technical briefing (Aug. 18, 2021)
PoliticsBC NDP (Premier John Horgan)
During the 2020 provincial election campaign, BC Liberal leader Andrew Wilkinson pledged to replace the planned eight-lane tunnel with a 10-lane bridge. The NDP won the election.
As reported in the news; not from an official record.
MilestonesBC NDP (Premier John Horgan)
The business case comparing an eight-lane tunnel with an eight-lane bridge was completed in December 2020 and updated in April 2021.
Province of BC / TI Corp, George Massey Crossing technical briefing (Aug. 18, 2021)
PlansBC NDP (Premier John Horgan)
The Province announced a new five-lane Steveston interchange, more bus-on-shoulder lanes, a bus-only connection at Bridgeport Road and cycling upgrades, to be built ahead of the crossing. Budgets given in August 2021: Steveston $88 million, bus-on-shoulder $36 million, Highway 17A off-ramp $7 million, Bridgeport ramp $6 million.
$137Mfor four corridor projects (2021 budgets)
BC Gov News, New interchange, Highway 99 improvements to relieve traffic congestion (June 22, 2021)Province of BC / TI Corp, George Massey Crossing technical briefing (Aug. 18, 2021)
MoneyBC NDP (Premier John Horgan)
The Province announced a toll-free, eight-lane immersed tube tunnel with two transit lanes and a separated cycling and walking path, estimated at $4.15 billion with opening in 2030. The eight-lane bridge alternative was estimated at $4.22 billion.
$4.15Bestimate (8-lane tunnel)
BC Gov News, release 2021TRAN0124 (Aug. 18, 2021)Province of BC / TI Corp, George Massey Crossing technical briefing (Aug. 18, 2021)
BuiltBC NDP (Premier John Horgan)
The Province said construction was under way on bus-on-shoulder lanes south of the tunnel, with the Bridgeport Road bus connection and Highway 17A work starting in early 2022. In July 2024 it said the transit and cycling upgrades were complete.
BC Gov News, release 2021TRAN0195 (Jan. 4, 2022)BC Gov News, release 2024MOTI0092 (July 23, 2024)
MilestonesBC NDP (Premier John Horgan)
The initial project description for the Fraser River Tunnel Project was filed with the B.C. Environmental Assessment Office. The detailed project description followed on May 10, 2023.
TI Corp, Fraser River Tunnel Project Monthly Status Report, June 2026
BuiltBC NDP (Premier John Horgan)
Flatiron Constructors Canada was selected as design-builder on April 12, 2022, and construction began in July 2022. The project budget is $87.5 million.
$87.5MSteveston Interchange Project
TI Corp, Steveston Interchange Project Monthly Status Report, June 2026Highway 99 Tunnel Program, Steveston Interchange Project overview
PoliticsBC NDP (Premier John Horgan)
BC Liberal leader Kevin Falcon held a mock ribbon cutting, saying the 10-lane bridge would have opened that month, and said he would return to the bridge if tunnel construction had not begun by the 2024 election. Premier John Horgan defended the tunnel plan.
Global News, Sept. 7, 2022 (BC Liberals mock ribbon cutting)
MilestonesBC NDP (Premier David Eby)
The Province issued the request for qualifications for the Fraser River Tunnel Project and published a business case supplement.
TI Corp, Fraser River Tunnel Project Monthly Status Report, June 2026
MilestonesBC NDP (Premier David Eby)
The readiness decision moved the tunnel project into the next stage of the provincial environmental assessment. The process order followed on March 22, 2024.
TI Corp, Fraser River Tunnel Project Monthly Status Report, June 2026BC Gov News, release 2023MOTI0161 (Oct. 18, 2023)
MilestonesBC NDP (Premier David Eby)
Cross Fraser Partnership, Daewoo-GS JV and Fraser River Tunnel Constructors were invited to submit proposals. The estimate remained $4.15 billion.
$4.15Bestimate (8-lane tunnel)
TrafficBC NDP (Premier David Eby)
The electronic lane-control system was taken offline for four weeks for an upgrade, with crews setting up counterflow manually. Overnight tunnel closures were scheduled for April 4 to 8, 2024.
MilestonesBC NDP (Premier David Eby)
The Province selected Cross Fraser Partnership (Bouygues, FCC, Pomerleau and Arcadis) for the design and early works phase. Major construction was scheduled for 2026 and opening for 2030.
MoneyBC NDP (Premier David Eby)
The Province and Cross Fraser Partnership signed the design early works agreement, starting the development phase. Project spending to the end of September 2024 was $107.9 million.
$108Mspent on the tunnel project to Sept. 30, 2024
TI Corp, Fraser River Tunnel Project Monthly Status Report, June 2026TI Corp, Fraser River Tunnel Project Monthly Status Report, September 2024
PoliticsBC NDP (Premier David Eby)
The BC NDP under David Eby won 47 seats, the Conservative Party of BC 44 and the Greens 2. The tunnel project continued.
MoneyBC NDP (Premier David Eby)
The December 2024 status report gave total project spending to date of $197 million, with opening in 2030 and decommissioning of the old tunnel by 2032.
$197Mspent on the tunnel project to Dec. 31, 2024
TI Corp, Fraser River Tunnel Project Monthly Status Report, December 2024
MilestonesBC NDP (Premier David Eby)
The Province submitted its application for an environmental assessment certificate. Open houses were held on June 4 and 5, 2025.
TI Corp, Fraser River Tunnel Project Monthly Status Report, June 2025TI Corp, Fraser River Tunnel Project Monthly Status Report, June 2026
MilestonesBC NDP (Premier David Eby)
An order in council under the Environment and Land Use Act allowed preparatory construction to start before the environmental assessment is finished. The Province says this work can be restored if a certificate is not issued.
TI Corp, Fraser River Tunnel Project Monthly Status Report, June 2026Highway 99 Tunnel Program, Early Construction Work
MilestonesBC NDP (Premier David Eby)
The project received a Notice Regarding Application Review from the Environmental Assessment Office. A revised application was submitted on March 13, 2026.
TI Corp, Fraser River Tunnel Project Monthly Status Report, June 2026
MoneyBC NDP (Premier David Eby)
The December 2025 status report gave total project spending to date of $397.8 million.
$398Mspent on the tunnel project to Dec. 31, 2025
TI Corp, Fraser River Tunnel Project Monthly Status Report, December 2025
BuiltBC NDP (Premier David Eby)
All five lanes of the new Steveston Highway overpass opened to traffic. Substantial completion was reached on May 19, 2026, and spending to June 2026 was $66.6 million against an $87.5 million budget.
$87.5Mbudget; $66.6M spent to June 2026
BC Gov News, Paving complete on the new Steveston interchange (Feb. 6, 2026)TI Corp, Steveston Interchange Project Monthly Status Report, June 2026
BuiltBC NDP (Premier David Eby)
Tree clearing started on Deas Island in January 2026, followed by utility relocation and preparation for jetties, a temporary trestle bridge and the casting basin where tunnel sections will be built.
Highway 99 Tunnel Program newsletter, Early Construction Works Begin (Jan. 2026)Highway 99 Tunnel Program, Early Construction WorkBC Gov News, Construction continues on Fraser River Tunnel Project with federal partnership (July 6, 2026)
MoneyBC NDP (Premier David Eby)
The provincial budget left the project cost unchanged, at about $4.3 billion including the highway corridor works ($4.15 billion for the tunnel itself), and said the budget and schedule would be updated once talks with the contractor finished.
$4.15Btunnel estimate, stated as under review
As reported in the news; not from an official record.
Daily Hive, Feb. 20, 2026 (B.C. budget and the tunnel's cost and timeline)TI Corp, Fraser River Tunnel Project Monthly Status Report, March 2026
ReversalsBC NDP (Premier David Eby)
On June 15, 2026 the Province said it was exercising a termination option, after the two sides did not agree on commercial terms for final construction. The remaining work was split into five packages, with requests for qualifications for the first two issued on June 16. Cross Fraser Partnership kept delivering the early works.
Indo-Canadian Voice (provincial release text), June 15, 2026Engineering News-Record, June 18, 2026TI Corp, Fraser River Tunnel Project Monthly Status Report, June 2026
MoneyBC NDP (Premier David Eby)
The June 2026 status report gave total project spending to date of $580.7 million, including $37.5 million in June. This is the latest published figure.
$581Mspent on the tunnel project to June 30, 2026
TI Corp, Fraser River Tunnel Project Monthly Status Report, June 2026
MoneyBC NDP (Premier David Eby)
Prime Minister Mark Carney and Premier David Eby announced the Canada-British Columbia Cooperative Prosperity Agreement, which includes up to $3 billion in federal funding for the tunnel replacement.
$3BUp to $3B federal contribution
Prime Minister of Canada, Canada-British Columbia Cooperative Prosperity Agreement (July 2, 2026)BC Gov News, Construction continues on Fraser River Tunnel Project with federal partnership (July 6, 2026)
MoneyBC NDP (Premier David Eby)
The Province announced an updated budget of $8.5 billion, up from $4.15 billion, and moved estimated completion from December 2030 to September 2031. Major construction was expected to begin in 2027.
$8.5Bbudget (8-lane tunnel)
BC Gov News, Construction continues on Fraser River Tunnel Project with federal partnership (July 6, 2026)ReNew Canada, July 7, 2026
PoliticsBC NDP (Premier David Eby)
Premier David Eby called an election for October 24, 2026, two years ahead of the fixed date. Lorne Doerkson had become interim leader of the Conservative Party of BC on September 20.
As reported in the news; not from an official record.
PoliticsBC NDP (Premier David Eby)
Conservative leader Lorne Doerkson said his party would cancel the eight-lane tunnel and build a 10-lane bridge. NDP leader David Eby said the change would delay the crossing. Two construction unions opposed it, and one, IUOE Local 115, said $581 million had been spent as of June.
Conservative Party of BC, news release (Oct. 15, 2026)North Delta Reporter, Oct. 15, 2026
MoneyBC NDP (Premier David Eby)
Lorne Doerkson said the party believed a bridge could be built for $6 billion, about $2.5 billion less than the tunnel budget. News reports in November said the party had not published a costing.
$6B(Conservative Party estimate for a 10-lane bridge; no costing published)
As reported in the news; not from an official record.
The Link Paper, Nov. 13, 2026 (Farnworth statement)Vancouver Sun via Yahoo News Canada, Nov. 12, 2026Maple Ridge News (Black Press), Nov. 12, 2026
PoliticsBC NDP (Premier David Eby)
The Conservative Party of BC won 64 of 93 seats in the final count, the BC NDP 27 and the Greens 2. Elections BC noted two districts were subject to automatic judicial recounts.
Elections BC, Final Results for the 2026 Provincial General ElectionWikipedia, 2026 British Columbia general election
PoliticsTransition: BC NDP caretaker government (Premier David Eby); Conservative Party of BC government-elect (Premier-designate Lorne Doerkson)
Federal Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon said in Delta that Ottawa supports "crossing that river, whatever way the Premier tells us to." Whether the $3 billion would carry over to a bridge has not been confirmed.
Daily Hive, Nov. 1, 2026 (federal position on a bridge)Global News, Nov. 12, 2026
PoliticsTransition: BC NDP caretaker government (Premier David Eby); Conservative Party of BC government-elect (Premier-designate Lorne Doerkson)
Premier-designate Lorne Doerkson asked that no new contracts or commitments specific to the tunnel be made during the transition, pending a review of the project and alternatives, and said existing contracts would be respected. Outgoing minister Mike Farnworth called the request an attempt to shift the cost of the bridge promise; the Ministry said no new commitments would be made under the caretaker convention.
The Link Paper, Nov. 13, 2026 (Doerkson statement)Global News, Nov. 12, 2026Vancouver Sun via Yahoo News Canada, Nov. 12, 2026The Link Paper, Nov. 13, 2026 (Farnworth statement)
PoliticsTransition: BC NDP caretaker government (Premier David Eby); Conservative Party of BC government-elect (Premier-designate Lorne Doerkson)
News reports say Conservative MLAs are to be sworn in on November 19 and Lorne Doerkson and his cabinet on November 20, 2026. No deadline has been given for the incoming government's review of the crossing.
As reported in the news; not from an official record.
Daily Hive, Nov. 12, 2026Maple Ridge News (Black Press), Nov. 12, 2026Vancouver Sun via Yahoo News Canada, Nov. 8, 2026
Checked Nov 14, 2026. Every entry links to its source: provincial news releases and status reports first, then news reports where there is no official record. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.
