Today (December 17), B.C.’s NDP government shared a report with the public that suggests it is about to abandon the former Liberal administration’s plans to build a massive 10-lane bridge across the Fraser River.

“The original George Massey Tunnel Replacement Project pushed the 10-lane bridge option without fully considering feasible alternatives or local opinions on the best path forward,” begins a media release that accompanies the report.

B.C. minister of transportation and infrastructure Claire Trevena is quoted there criticizing the plan for a 10-lane bridge that former premier Christy Clark had championed before she was voted out of office in May 2017.

"The 10-lane Massey bridge project was pushed ahead without the input of communities," Travena says. "The technical review of the project has confirmed this was the wrong project for the region. We need a better solution for this crossing to get people out of traffic and home with their families."

The report, an independent technical review commissioned by the province and prepared by Westmar Advisors Inc., assesses options to replace the aging George Massey Tunnel.

The document acknowledges that heavy traffic is a concern along the Highway 99 corridor that runs through the four-lane underground passage. But it suggests that a 10-lane bridge is not required to address projected changes in traffic patterns and congestion.

“While traffic has grown little at the Tunnel over the past three decades…all models (including the one completed for the Review…) forecast traffic to grow as the Alex Fraser Bridge becomes more congested,” it reads.

According to B.C. ministry of transportation data, traffic volume recorded in the Massey Tunnel in December 2017 was actually lower than what was recorded in the tunnel in December 2005.

From there, the report presents reviews of several options, including a retrofit of the existing tunnel, the construction of a new tunnel, and new bridge but one that is smaller than the 10 lanes that Clark’s government proposed.

“A smaller six-to-eight-lane bridge would accommodate the majority of traffic predicted by 2045,” reads the press release accompanying the report.

“An immersed tube tunnel crossing of up to eight lanes is likely feasible for a new crossing and could be less expensive with fewer negative impacts,” it continues. “Retrofitting the existing tunnel to use in tandem with a new crossing may be possible.”

The release states the B.C. government is now reviewing these “better” options.

"People are understandably frustrated with the gridlock along the Highway 99 corridor," Trevena says quoted there. "Had the options been carefully and objectively considered before the 10-lane bridge project, we would be much closer to solving the congestion in a way that works for everyone who lives, works and travels in the region."

In the meantime, the NDP has said it will begin working to reduce traffic around the tunnel with upgrades to nearby infrastructure.

"The province will immediately begin scoping work for improvements to the Steveston interchange to reduce congestion along the corridor, as well as improvements on the Delta side of the traffic network," the release reads.

In response to the report's publication, Delta mayor George Harvie issued a statement emphasizing that residents living south the Fraser have grown impatient with the Massey tunnel and plans to improve or replace it that have failed to materialize for longer than a decade now.

“Based on my experience and the province’s anticipated timeline of fall 2020 to develop a business case, this creates a completely unacceptable timeframe for our residents and businesses," Harvie says quoted there. “I am agnostic to the ultimate solution to the Tunnel, but I’m eager to get one implemented."