Overnight George Massey Tunnel closures begin this weekend and last till March | Daily Hive

Province of B.C.

Maintenance work will lead to some closures for the George Massey Tunnel starting this weekend to prepare for the new tunnel.

According to information shared by the B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Transit, the overnight closures will start at 10 p.m. on Jan. 11.

“The overnight single-lane closures will continue through March and are required as part of ongoing preparations for construction of the new tunnel,” the ministry says.

The nightly closures will be in effect “as many as seven days a week,” the ministry cautions.

A schedule has also been shared by the ministry.

Between Monday and Friday, northbound closures will be in effect from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., while southbound closures will be in effect between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

On Saturday and Sunday, northbound and southbound closures will be in effect between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.

“Travel in both directions will be maintained at all times through the tunnel. Signs will be posted and traffic-control crews will be on site. Drivers are reminded to obey posted speed limits and pay attention to all signage and the direction of traffic-control personnel,” the ministry adds.

The environmental assessment process for the new replacement George Massey Tunnel began in 2021. This process was approaching its final stretch last summer.

The provincial government intends to have Cross Fraser Partnership begin major construction activities in 2026 for the completion and opening of the new tunnel in 2030.

The new tunnel from end to end will be about 1.054 km long, and the main span beneath the river will be made of six tunnel segments — each weighing about 60,000 tonnes, and measuring a length of 130 metres and a width of 45 metres. For comparison, each segment will be about the size of a football field.

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With files from Kenneth Chan