200 workers still building the Massey Tunnel replacement as BC awaits bridge decision
Construction crews continue work on the Massey Tunnel replacement while awaiting direction from premier-designate Lorne Doerkson, who promised a 10-lane bridge instead. No decision is possible until the government is sworn in November 19.
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A crew of 200 workers is still on site building the Massey Tunnel replacement while they wait for premier-designate Lorne Doerkson's government to decide whether to cancel the tunnel project and build a bridge. No formal direction can be issued until the new government is sworn in on November 19, CTV News Vancouver reported on November 3.
Bryan Railton, a representative of the International Union of Operating Engineers whose members are among those on site, said the work continues under existing contracts until crews are told otherwise.
"You're probably not going to get the same production out of somebody who's going to work going, 'What am I doing here?'" Railton told CTV News.
The promise
The Conservative Party of BC 2026 platform, on page 11, commits to building a new 10-lane George Massey Bridge and dropping the tunnel replacement project. Page 57 says the bridge will be built within the $8.5 billion already set aside for the crossing. Those commitments are tracked at /bc/provincial-2026/tracker#gov-promise-george-massey-bridge and /bc/provincial-2026/tracker#gov-promise-george-massey-publish-budget-schedule.
What local officials are saying
Delta Mayor Melissa Granum told CTV News she supports a bridge but wants a decision fast. "It's wasting our tax dollars if we are going to switch back to a bridge. And at this point, we need to get that decision made," Granum said. Richmond Mayor Rob Howard said his community needs something built quickly.
Railton said cancelling the tunnel would mean paying out contractors for work done and work already committed under contract, and unwinding a project labour agreement that covers the tunnel work. "Let's sit down and have this discussion," Railton told CTV News, saying his union is asking to meet with Doerkson.
Railton also noted the approaches for a bridge would be in different locations than those being built for the tunnel replacement, meaning the current work is unlikely to carry over.
What comes next
Premier-designate Doerkson's cabinet is sworn in November 19, 2026. That is the first point at which formal direction can be given on the crossing. The Conservatives also promised to publish the bridge's budget and schedule before construction begins, and to ask the federal government to apply its contribution of up to $3 billion toward the bridge.
BC residents near the Delta and Richmond crossing can watch for a formal announcement after November 19. The promise tracking page at /bc/provincial-2026/tracker#gov-promise-george-massey-bridge will be updated when the government acts.
Questions this story answers
What is happening at the Massey Tunnel construction site right now?
CTV News reported on November 3, 2026, that a crew of 200 workers was continuing construction on the Massey Tunnel replacement project. Bryan Railton of the International Union of Operating Engineers said crews continue until told otherwise by the new government.
Why is work still going on if Doerkson promised a bridge?
Premier-designate Lorne Doerkson and his cabinet cannot issue formal direction until they are sworn in on November 19, 2026, CTV News reported. Until then, contractors are following their existing contracts and continuing the tunnel replacement work.
What exactly did the Conservative platform promise about the George Massey crossing?
The Conservative Party of BC 2026 platform, on page 11, commits to building a new 10-lane George Massey Bridge and dropping the tunnel project. Page 57 of the platform says the bridge will be built within the $8.5 billion already set aside for the crossing. The promise is tracked at /bc/provincial-2026/tracker#gov-promise-george-massey-bridge.
What do local mayors say about the ongoing construction?
Delta Mayor Melissa Granum told CTV News on November 3, 2026, that she supports a bridge but wants the project fast-tracked, and said the ongoing tunnel work does not make sense while the decision remains unclear. Richmond Mayor Rob Howard said his community just needs something built quickly and safely.
What will it cost to cancel the tunnel and switch to a bridge?
Bryan Railton of the International Union of Operating Engineers told CTV News that if the tunnel is cancelled, contractors will need to be paid, including for work already done and for work they were promised under their contracts. A project labour agreement for the tunnel project would also need to be addressed. No figure was given in the November 3 report.
When will the new government make a decision on the crossing?
Premier-designate Doerkson and his cabinet are sworn in on November 19, 2026. CTV News reported that decisions on how to move forward cannot be made until then. No specific date has been given for a formal announcement on the George Massey crossing.
What approaches would a bridge use compared to the tunnel?
Bryan Railton of the International Union of Operating Engineers told CTV News on November 3, 2026, that the approaches for a bridge would be in different locations than those being built for the tunnel replacement, and that he could not see how the current tunnel work would be used for a bridge.
Where can BC residents track this promise?
The Conservative Party's commitment to build the George Massey Bridge is tracked at /bc/provincial-2026/tracker#gov-promise-george-massey-bridge on this site. The swearing-in of premier-designate Doerkson's cabinet on November 19, 2026 is when formal direction on the project can first be issued.
Sources
The pages this story draws on. Open one to check a claim yourself.
- CTV News Vancouver, November 3, 2026ctvnews.ca
- Conservative Party of BC 2026 platform, page 11conservativebc.ca
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