All five lanes of new Steveston interchange at Highway 99 now open | Daily Hive

Construction progress on the new Steveston interchange on Highway 99 in Richmond, as of Dec. 17, 2025. (Government of BC)

Commuters along Highway 99 in Richmond are expected to see smoother travel starting Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025, as all five vehicle lanes of the new Steveston interchange have officially opened to vehicle traffic.

The interchange, which spans Highway 99, now features three westbound lanes and two eastbound lanes, adding significant capacity and improving the flow of east-west traffic through one of the region’s key transportation corridors.

According to a bulletin from the provincial government this afternoon, the interchange’s full opening will help reduce congestion and shorten travel times for drivers heading to and from Richmond.

Half of the new interchange first opened in January 2025, when the three new westbound lanes opened.

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This new overpass is expected to benefit communities south of the Fraser River. By easing congestion at the Steveston Highway crossing, the project will significantly reduce backups in the northbound off-ramp lanes on Highway 99.

Previous condition:

highway 99 steveston highway interchange 1

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

New condition:

steveston interchange massey tunnel project richmond

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

steveston interchange highway 99 dec 17 2025

Construction progress on the new Steveston interchange on Highway 99 in Richmond, as of Dec. 17, 2025. (Government of BC)

Prior to construction, the previous interchange’s overpass above Highway 99 had just two vehicle lanes — one vehicle lane in each direction. There are also new safe pathways for pedestrians and cyclists.

Although the opening marks the end of major construction, work on the interchange is not yet fully complete. Landscaping, final paving on on- and off-ramps, and other roadwork will continue through Spring 2026.

Construction on the new interchange first began in July 2022, with the project now coming within its provided $87.5-million budget and on schedule.

steveston interchange highway 99 dec 11 2025

Construction progress on the new Steveston interchange on Highway 99 in Richmond, as of Dec. 11, 2025. (Government of BC)

This interchange is one of the components of the provincial government’s broader project of building a new replacement eight-lane George Massey Tunnel.

Other recent Highway 99 improvements directly under this tunnel replacement project include bus-on-shoulder lane extensions south of the tunnel, and a new public transit bus connection from Bridgeport Road to southbound Highway 99.

Subject to the provincial government’s environmental assessment approval and other requirements, construction on the brand new immersed tunnel on the Fraser River’s bed is expected to begin in 2026 for completion and opening in 2030.

In July 2024, the provincial government selected the private consortium that will design and build the new tunnel.

Cross Fraser Partnership is led by the Canadian division of France-based Bouygues Construction, in partnership with Spanish construction company Fomento de Construcciones y Contratas, Quebec-based Pomerleau, architectural and engineering firm Arcadis (formerly known as IBI Group), and Netherlands-based dredging and marine services firm Boskalis.

Bouygues is perhaps best known for playing a key part in building the 50-km-long Channel Tunnel, also known as the Chunnel, between France and the United Kingdom.

george massey tunnel new project

Concept visual of the manufacturing facility on Deas Island for the new George Massey Tunnel segments. (Government of B.C.)

2025 revised concept of the new George Massey Tunnel. (Government of B.C.)

Ahead of the anticipated start to the tunnel’s major construction work in 2026, geotechnical investigations and some early site preparation work are well underway.

The previous preliminary estimate of $4.15 billion for the combined cost of the new tunnel, existing tunnel decommissioning, the new Steveston interchange, and new bus-on-shoulder lanes was first established approximately six years ago, before the significant pandemic-induced inflationary trends. This figure is still the official estimated cost.

This Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025, the provincial government will also mark the partial opening of the new replacement Pattullo Bridge, now named Riverview Bridge (stal̕əw̓asəm Bridge). All vehicle lanes on the new bridge will open in early 2026 under a phased strategy of completing and opening the crossing and its various road connections.

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