One of premier-designate Lorne Doerkson’s key campaign promises was to cancel the Massey Tunnel replacement project and build a bridge instead. But work on the tunnel is continuing. A crew of about 200 is currently on site. If the tunnel is scrapped in favour of a bridge, it’s likely their work will need to be torn out. “The approaches for the bridge would be in drastically different locations,” said Bryan Railton, of the International Union of Operating Engineers, whose members are among those working on the project. “Bridges expand quite a bit further out. So, I can’t see how they would use it.” While it may be waste of time and money to keep building the tunnel, crews “continue until told otherwise,” said Railton. “It’s a bit confusing and a bit astounding from a government that campaigned on fiscal responsibility and these types of things, but here we are.” Delta Mayor Melissa Granum supports a bridge, but wants the project fast-tracked. “To me (the ongoing work) doesn’t make sense,” Granum said. “It’s wasting our tax dollars if we are going to switch back to a bridge. And at this point, we need to get that decision made.” But decisions on how to move forward can’t be made until the new government is sworn in on Nov. 19. And even then, the B.C. Conservatives will likely find making the switch won’t be simple. “If the tunnel is cancelled, contractors will have to be paid,” said Railton. “There are contracts for not just the work that’s been done, but potentially work that they were they were promised as part of the contract. There’s a project labour agreement for that project for all of the labour. We’re throwing all of that out.” Richmond Mayor Rob Howard says his community is tired of waiting. “We just need something built, and we need it built fast. We’ve been talking about this for a long time, and it’s time to get it done. You know, get it built quickly, get it built safely. Just get it built,” said Howard. Railton’s union is asking for a meeting with Doerkson to talk about next steps. “Let’s sit down and have this discussion. Because at the end of the day, starting off by throwing a bunch of workers out to go find new work, in hopes that they might work on a bridge without any guarantees, just seems like a really poor way to start,” Railton said. “I do feel for the contractors and the employees who are doing this work right now who don’t know what’s going on in the next month,” added Granum. Until plans are finalized, crews will continue to work on a tunnel project that appears to be doomed. “It’s very disheartening,” said Railton. “You’re probably not going to get the same production out of somebody who’s going to work going, ‘What am I doing here?’”
