Construction begins on Steveston interchange on Highway 99 in Richmond

Construction begins on new Steveston interchange on Highway 99 in Richmond

Design of the new Steveston Highway interchange on Highway 99. (Government of BC)

A new Steveston Highway interchange along Highway 99 in South Richmond is now officially a work in progress.

The $87.5 million project is one early works component of the eventual new immersed tunnel to replace the aging George Massey Tunnel.

Construction is beginning with early works such as clearing and utility relocations, and the new interchange is expected to reach completion in 2025.

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Currently, the existing antiquated interchange has two travel lanes. The new interchange will establish five travel lanes — two eastbound lanes and three westbound lanes — and a left-turn lane onto Highway 99.

There will also be improved ramp connections between Steveston Highway and Highway 99, and public transit bus priority measures to allow buses to move through the interchange more efficiently, including traffic signal priority at intersections and a dedicated bus lane and in-lane bus stop on the northbound offramp.

Additionally, there will be dedicated walking and cycling pathways on both sides of the new Steveston Highway overpass across Highway 99.

Existing condition of the Steveston Highway interchange:

highway 99 steveston highway interchange 1

Existing condition of the Steveston Highway interchange for Highway 99. (Google Maps)

Future condition of the Steveston Highway interchange:

steveston interchange massey tunnel project richmond

Design of the new Steveston Highway interchange on Highway 99. (Government of BC)

“It’s an important day as we move forward on addressing one of the worst bottlenecks in Richmond,” said Rob Fleming, BC minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, in a statement.

“I look forward to work getting underway that will improve connections for transit users, drivers and cyclists, and tie in to the new eight-lane toll-free tunnel that will replace the George Massey Tunnel.”

This interchange design is significantly smaller than what was previously planned as part of the original 10-lane bridge project, which was opposed by the City of Richmond.

Other components of the Massey Tunnel replacement currently in progress include a new southbound bus-only lane from Bridgeport Road to Highway 99 to improve the movement of buses from SkyTrain Bridgeport Station. Work is also underway on expanding the Highway 99 shoulders for bus-only lanes.

All of these components are part of the estimated total $4.15 billion cost of the entire Massey Tunnel replacement. Construction on the new eight-lane immersed tunnel will begin in 2026, after the completion of a rigorous environmental review process and contractor procurement process. If all goes as planned, the new eight-lane tunnel will be ready for use by 2030.

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