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Feds 'All in' on New Fraser River Crossing, Whether Bridge or Tunnel
Federal officials say they will back the crossing type chosen by the incoming Conservative government, keeping financing support in principle for the replacement project.
- Federal Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon confirmed on Friday, Oct. 30, that Ottawa will support Premier-elect Lorne Doerkson's plan to build a 10-lane bridge replacing the aging George Massey Tunnel, abandoning the BC NDP's eight-lane immersed tunnel project.
- The province cancelled its tunnel contract on June 15 after failing to agree on commercial terms for final construction, prompting Doerkson to campaign on scrapping the NDP's project in favor of the bridge.
- Doerkson claimed the bridge would be "more affordable" at $6 billion, with $2.5 billion in savings funding a new women and children's hospital in Surrey, compared to the tunnel's $8.5 billion estimated cost.
- Outgoing Premier David Eby previously criticized the bridge promise as "lunacy," though MacKinnon noted that federal funding for what would not normally be a project remains available to support regional infrastructure.
- MacKinnon stated the federal government is "all in" with the incoming administration's plans, looking forward to working with Doerkson to complete the crossing as quickly as possible.
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15 Articles
15 Articles
Coverage Details
Total News Sources15
Leaning Left13Leaning Right0Center1Last UpdatedBias Distribution93% Left
Bias Distribution
- 93% of the sources lean Left
93% Left
L 93%
Factuality
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