Overnight George Massey Tunnel closures to affect traffic this weekend

Mainroad Lower Mainland Contracting says the George Massey Tunnel will close overnight on Friday, Sept. 18, and Saturday, Sept. 19, for maintenance, potentially affecting Metro Vancouver drivers travelling through the crossing.

The northbound Highway 99 lanes at the tunnel will close from 9 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. the following day. Southbound lanes will close from 9 p.m. Saturday to 6 a.m. Sunday. Detour signs will be in place, and drivers are being asked to consider alternate routes such as the Alex Fraser Bridge and to check DriveBC for current closure and traffic information.

The B.C. government says the four-lane, vehicle-only tunnel, which opened in 1959, no longer meets regional needs or modern seismic standards. Its overhaul is scheduled to begin in 2027, while a new eight-lane, toll-free tunnel is targeted to open in 2031.

Transportation and Transit Minister Mike Farnworth said this summer that the replacement tunnel project is now expected to cost $8.5 billion, up from $4.15 billion but below the $9-billion to $12-billion range previously floated by critics and others. The Government of Canada has announced up to $3 billion in direct funding through the Canada-British Columbia Cooperative Prosperity Agreement, covering up to one-third of construction costs. Low-interest federal loans and other borrowing options could also help cover the provincial government's share.