The George Massey Tunnel Pre-Construction Push
More than 200 workers cleared land and moved equipment at the Fraser River site while the outgoing BC NDP government pressed forward with pre-construction work for the George Massey Tunnel replacement. Premier David Eby’s administration kept crews active following the October 24 election loss, bridging the gap before the BC Conservatives take power on November 20.
Estimates floating in media reports suggest taxpayers could be footing a $1 million daily bill for the preparatory activity. If accurate, that pace accumulates roughly $27 million in waste between election day and the official transition of power, adding to an estimated $32 million spent during the 32-day campaign.
The Incoming Administration Responds to Ongoing Work
Premier-designate Lorne Doerkson voiced sharp frustration regarding the continuation of a project his party defeated in the polls. The BC Conservatives campaigned on scrapping the $8.4 billion plan to build a new eight-lane tunnel, favoring a return to a previous proposal for a 10-lane bridge.
“We’re not actually in power and not in a position to make any decisions with respect to the workforce that are there,” Lorne Doerkson said. “However, we will be making a decision very quickly after the 20th, of course, when we are sworn in with respect to the crossing there. We’re completely committed to that.”
While Doerkson acknowledged uncertainty regarding the exact daily expenditure, the prospect of tens of millions of dollars flowing into a project slated for immediate cancellation has drawn intense political scrutiny.
Precedent for Executive Transition Pauses
Debate over how to handle major infrastructure during a government handoff brought historical precedent into focus. During a media event, veteran columnist Vaughn Palmer raised the actions of former premier John Horgan during the 2017 political transition.
On May 30, 2017, after securing a power-sharing agreement with the BC Greens, Horgan wrote directly to BC Hydro CEO Jessica McDonald. He urged the utility to halt any new decisions on the Site C project that would increase taxpayer liability before the new legislature gained confidence. BC Hydro heeded the request weeks before Horgan was officially sworn into office.
Doerkson noted that his team has discussed similar avenues, describing the briefing information received so far as disheartening.
Competing Visions for Fraser River Crossings
According to statements released via bcndp.ca, the BC NDP defends the eight-lane tunnel project as a necessary upgrade that secures $3 billion in federal funding while avoiding road tolls and providing dedicated space for transit and cyclists.
Conversely, Doerkson maintains that the entire crossing requires re-contemplation. The BC Conservatives argue their bridge proposal can be achieved within a comparable five-year timeline at a lower estimated cost of $6 billion, though critics warn that scrapping the current design risks federal dollars and sets back regional congestion relief by years.
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