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64-584: The George Massey Tunnel (often referred to as the Massey Tunnel ) is a highway traffic tunnel in the Metro Vancouver region of southwestern British Columbia carrying Highway 99 beneath the south arm of the Fraser River. It is located approximately 20 km (12.4 mi) south of the city centre of Vancouver , British Columbia , and approximately 30 km (18.6 mi) north of

128-582: A reversible lane system is used, with a series of swing gates deployed that direct traffic in one direction to a single lane, while increasing the other direction to three lanes. Morning rush has three lanes northbound (inbound to Vancouver) and evening rush has three southbound lanes (outbound from Vancouver). The tunnel is 629 m (2,064 ft) long and made up of six precast concrete sections (length: 344 ft (104.9 m); height: 24 ft (7.3 m); width: 78 ft (23.8 m)). The sections were floated into position by barge and then sunk into

192-616: A Regional Context Statement to "demonstrate to the Metro Vancouver Board how its Official Community Plan Supports the RGS." The five goals of the RGS are to: Regional planning also includes planning and policy-making in agriculture and the food industry. The organization is committed to the goals and strategies in the Regional Food System Strategy, as approved by the board. The goals are to: In 2018,

256-594: A change of 7.3% from its 2016 population of 2,463,431 . With a land area of 2,878.93 km (1,111.56 sq mi), it had a population density of 918.0/km (2,377.6/sq mi) in 2021. The Metro Vancouver Regional District is the densest and most populous regional district in British Columbia, and the second-densest and second-most populous census division in Canada behind Toronto . Metro Vancouver technically comprises four separate corporate entities:

320-482: A commercialized earthquake early warning system (EEWS) to protect critical infrastructure in North America. Capable of detecting earthquakes with seconds to minutes of warning time the installation on George Massey Tunnel is designed to close the gates at either end of the tunnel so that no one can enter if a dangerous quake is inbound, and those already inside can exit as normal before shaking begins. The tunnel

384-413: A letter to the B.C. government and the federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Catherine McKenna, to get the federal government to do an environmental review of the project. In February 2017, the federal government denied the request of the mayors for a federal review. The official groundbreaking for the project took place on April 5, 2017, and was met with protesters. Following their victory in

448-515: A new bridge to replace the tunnel will begin in 2017. On December 16, 2015, British Columbia Transportation Minister Todd Stone announced detailed plans to spend $ 3.5 billion on a bridge and interchange improvements to replace the tunnel. In July 2016 the BC Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) started an environmental assessment of the project and on February 9, 2017, the replacement received environment approval from

512-675: A regional district for this western portion of the Lower Mainland named the Regional District of Fraser-Burrard on 29 June 1967. Just under a year later, the regional district was renamed as the Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD) on 13 June 1968. In 2007, the GVRD applied to change its official legal name a second time to simply "Metro Vancouver", which was deemed more recognizable at

576-428: A route connecting Tsawwassen ferry terminal and Bridgeport station . The service was brought back for the 2023 season between late June and Labour Day. The tunnel has a posted height limit of 4.15 m (13 ft 7 + 3 ⁄ 8  in) in both directions. The replacement bridge, which was to be constructed starting in 2017, would have likely eliminated the current height restrictions for over-height vehicles in

640-431: A shallow trench that had been dug into the loose sand and silt of the river bed. The trench and tunnel sections were then covered over with a protective layer of rock—500-pound (230 kg) stones filled 50 feet (15.24 m) out on each side, plus a bed of 1,500-pound (680 kg) stones on top. A structure located at each end of the tunnel houses the main ventilation and pumping equipment. Concrete retaining walls make up

704-550: Is Vancouver , and Metro Vancouver's administrative offices are located in the city of Burnaby . The MVRD's boundaries match those of the Vancouver census metropolitan area (CMA) as identified by Statistics Canada . The Greater Vancouver Water District and the Greater Vancouver Sewerage and Drainage District were established in 1924 and 1956 respectively. The Government of British Columbia incorporated

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768-460: Is a single tube that is subdivided with a concrete wall, each side containing two traffic lanes. The typical traffic flow has two northbound lanes in the east tube and two southbound lanes in the west tube. On January 28, 1981, a reversible lane system was introduced to meet increasing traffic demand in the tunnel. A bus lane was also added to the approaches a few months earlier as part of the $ 2.5 million program. At peak rush traffic periods,

832-486: Is committed to the goals and strategies in the Regional Parks Plan, as approved by the board. The four goals are to: Regional parks are distinct from municipal parks in that they are typically more "wild" and represent unique geographical zones within the region, such as bogs and mature rainforests . Regional economic prosperity is a service of Metro Vancouver organized to advance a shared prosperity in

896-468: Is determined by population, and the number of votes allocated to each director further helps proportionally represent the population distribution of the region. Each board director is also an elected official of one of the local authorities, with the exception of the elected representative for Electoral Area A (which has no council). As of 2017, the organization had about 1,500 employees. The current organizational structure shows ten departments reporting to

960-409: Is illegal for cyclists or pedestrians to traverse. A limited fare-free shuttle service is available year-round, during certain hours, and can carry tandems. Cyclists must wait at prescribed pickup points, but the van will make more than one trip if there are more than seven bicycles. Translink also provides year-round regular bus service through the tunnel with standard two-bike carrying racks. However,

1024-570: Is provided by four legal entities that operate under the name Metro Vancouver: the GVWD, the GVS&;DD, the MVRD and MVHC. They collectively serve 2.8 million residents in the region and provide 1.5 billion litres (400,000,000 US gal) of water during peak summer days. The GVWD provides tap water to a land area covering more than 2,600 km² with all of the water coming from three sources:

1088-520: Is scheduled for completion in 2030 with a projected cost of $ 4.15 billion. The provincial government has proposed that the George Massey Tunnel be filled with sand in lieu of full removal after the replacement is completed, or reused for BC Hydro electrical lines. Metro Vancouver The Metro Vancouver Regional District ( MVRD ), or simply Metro Vancouver , is a Canadian political subdivision and corporate entity representing

1152-675: Is the Metro Vancouver Regional District. The number of directors of the housing corporation is 13. Metro Vancouver works in collaboration with its members to achieve a shared vision of livability across the generations, as laid out in the Regional Growth Strategy (RGS), which was approved by the board in 2011, replacing the Livable Region Strategic Plan (LRSP). The RGS requires each member local authority to provide

1216-667: The 2017 general election , the NDP Premier John Horgan scrapped the project in favour of a solution with more research and consultation with the Metro Vancouver mayors. The Metro Vancouver mayors recommended a new eight-lane tunnel in 2019 as the replacement of the Massey Tunnel. On August 18, 2021, the provincial government announced the go ahead of the new eight-lane tunnel with a pedestrian and bicycle carriageway, subject to Indigenous consultation and environmental approvals. The toll-free, eight-lane tunnel

1280-576: The BC Ferries system cross the strait, between Tsawwassen (south of Vancouver) and Swartz Bay (near Victoria ) and between Horseshoe Bay (north of Vancouver) and Nanaimo . The Strait of Georgia is known as a premier scuba diving and whale watching location. In 1967, the Georgia Strait inspired the name of Vancouver's alternative newspaper, The Georgia Straight , which has been published continuously since. Towns and cities on

1344-587: The Canada–United States border at Blaine, Washington . Construction, costing approximately $ 16.6 million in 1959 ($ 140 million in 2017), began on the tunnel in March 1957, and it was opened to traffic on May 23, 1959 as the Deas Island Tunnel. Queen Elizabeth II attended the official opening ceremony of the tunnel on July 15, 1959. It carries a four-lane divided highway under the south arm of

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1408-833: The Capilano reservoir , the Seymour reservoir and the Coquitlam reservoir . Metro Vancouver controls the Cleveland Dam on the Capilano reservoir, which supplies 40 percent of the district's water. The system includes 26 storage tanks, 19 pump stations, and 520 kilometres (320 mi) of water mains . Metro Vancouver operates and maintains the liquid waste facility, which includes managing "the network of trunk sewers, pumping stations and wastewater treatment plants that connect with municipal sewer systems". Throughout operations,

1472-522: The Fraser River estuary , joining the City of Richmond to the north with the City of Delta to the south. It is the only road tunnel below sea level in Canada , making its roadway the lowest road surface in Canada. The Massey Tunnel was the first to use immersed tube technology in British Columbia. The tunnel forms part of Highway 99 . It is named for Nehamiah "George" Massey , a former Member of

1536-641: The Gulf Islands and San Juan Islands in the south, and the Discovery Islands in the north. The main channels to the south are Boundary Pass , Haro Strait and Rosario Strait , which connect the Strait of Georgia to the Strait of Juan de Fuca . In the north, Discovery Passage is the main channel connecting the Strait of Georgia to Johnstone Strait . The strait is a major navigation channel on

1600-640: The Legislative Assembly of British Columbia . He represented Delta between 1956 and 1960, and was a long-time advocate of a permanent crossing to replace the Ladner Ferry that crossed the south arm of the Fraser River. The tunnel was renamed the George Massey Tunnel in 1967, three years after Massey died. It is still sometimes referred to by its previous name, the Deas Island Tunnel . Dangerous goods are not allowed to pass through

1664-526: The State of Washington and is bisected by the Fraser River . The boundaries of the MVRD match those of the Vancouver CMA. This regional district comprises 23 local authorities as members: 21 municipalities, one electoral area and one treaty First Nation. Electoral Area A comprises all unincorporated land within the regional district boundaries, which totals about 818 square kilometres. Most of

1728-627: The metropolitan area of Greater Vancouver , designated by provincial legislation as one of the 28 regional districts in British Columbia . The organization was known as the Regional District of Fraser–Burrard for nearly one year upon incorporating in 1967, and as the Greater Vancouver Regional District ( GVRD ) from 1968 to 2017. Metro Vancouver borders Whatcom County, Washington , to

1792-463: The "Gulf of Georgia" by George Vancouver of Great Britain , during his extensive expedition along the west coast of North America . Vancouver designated the mainland in this region as New Georgia and areas farther north as New Hanover and New Bremen. The June 23, 1946, Vancouver Island earthquake shocked the Strait of Georgia region, causing the bottom of Deep Bay to sink between 3 and 26 m (9.8 and 85.3 ft). The two busiest routes of

1856-527: The B.C. Ministry of Environment. Preliminary work went out for tender in January 2017 to start the process of improving ground conditions for the future widening of the project area. The Metro Vancouver mayors spoke out against the replacement plan in June 2016, marking "the first time the mayors, who make up the Metro Vancouver Board, have spoken out collectively against the $ 3.5-billion crossing." The mayors sent

1920-530: The Chief Administrative Officer: Human Resources & Corporate Services; External Relations; Financial Services; Legal Services & Aboriginal Relations; Board & Information Services; Liquid Waste Services; Parks & Housing Services; Planning & Environment; Solid Waste Services; and Water Services. The principal function of Metro Vancouver is to administer resources and services which are common across

1984-502: The Corporate Climate Action Plan, the purpose of which is to, "set out strategies and actions to achieve Metro Vancouver's commitment to corporate carbon neutrality and to adapt [its] corporate infrastructure and activities to the anticipated consequences of climate change ." The strategies of the plan are to: Strait of Georgia Archipelagos and narrow channels mark each end of the Strait of Georgia,

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2048-701: The Fraser, and at Port Mann , beneath the south foot of the Port Mann Bridge . Metro Vancouver owns and manages housing complexes throughout the region via the Metro Vancouver Housing Corporation (MVHC); it also forms policy on homelessness and affordable housing for the region. The MVHC's board-approved goals, as outlined in the Affordable Housing Strategy, are to: The MVHC's sole shareholder

2112-528: The Georgia Strait proper, such as the inter-insular straits and channels of the Gulf Islands , and may refer to communities on the shore of southern Vancouver Island. As defined by George Vancouver in 1792, the Gulf of Georgia included all the inland waters beyond the eastern end of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, including Puget Sound , Bellingham Bay , the waters around the San Juan Islands , as well as

2176-653: The Ladner Bridge Company, submitted to government plans for the $ 2,600,000 toll bridge. That year, the federal government authorized construction of connecting highways, financing was in place, and preliminary construction work commenced. Ongoing opposition from the New Westminster municipality, and a change in the provincial government in 1933, changed the proposed location in 1934 to become the Pattullo Bridge at New Westminster. The tunnel

2240-596: The Metro Vancouver Regional District (MVRD), the Greater Vancouver Sewerage and Drainage District (GVS&DD), the Greater Vancouver Water District (GVWD) and the Metro Vancouver Housing Corporation (MVHC). Each of these is governed by a board of directors. The board of the MVRD has 40 directors coming from the 23 local authorities who are MVRD members. The number of directors coming from each local authority

2304-484: The Strait of Georgia. First Nations communities have surrounded the Strait of Georgia for thousands of years. The first European exploration of the area was undertaken by Captain Jose Maria Narvaez and Pilot Juan Carrasco of Spain in 1791. At this time Francisco de Eliza gave the strait the name "Gran Canal de Nuestra Señora del Rosario la Marinera." In 1792, it was renamed for King George III as

2368-433: The approaches, which extend out about 400 m (1,312 ft) from the ventilation buildings. At its lowest point the roadway is about 22 metres (72 ft) below sea level, making it the lowest section of roadway in Canada. The Fraser River flows into the Strait of Georgia about 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) downstream from the tunnel. Due to the tunnel being designed and constructed in the 1950s, very little consideration

2432-417: The area is in the northernmost part of the district, including residential areas and isolated dwellings on Howe Sound between Lions Bay and Horseshoe Bay, on Indian Arm to the north of Deep Cove and Belcarra/Anmore and on the west side of Pitt Lake to the north of Port Coquitlam. Other areas included are Barnston Island on the Fraser River , Passage Island between Bowen Island and West Vancouver, and finally

2496-455: The congestion and safety issues currently plaguing the structure. On November 21, 2012, it was announced that the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure is leading a multi-stage planning initiative, including seeking public input on replacement options for the tunnel to determine a number of options for its replacement. On September 20, 2013, Premier Clark announced that construction on

2560-501: The district of Mission , located to the east, although often linked to Vancouver in promotions and tourism, are part of a separate regional district, the Fraser Valley Regional District . As a census division in the 2021 Canadian census conducted by Statistics Canada , the Metro Vancouver Regional District had a population of 2,642,825 living in 1,043,319 of its 1,104,532 total private dwellings,

2624-555: The environment with respect to air quality, improve visual air quality and minimize the region's contribution to climate change . The organization is committed to the goals and strategies in the Integrated Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Management Plan, as approved by the board. The three goals are to: The parks department of Metro Vancouver oversees the development and maintenance of 23 regional parks, as well as various nature reserves and greenways. The organization

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2688-399: The freshwater entering the strait. Water circulates in the strait in a generally counterclockwise direction. The strait contains several major islands, the largest by far being Texada Island at 300.45 km (116.00 sq mi). Other major islands include Nelson Island , Denman Island , Lasqueti Island , and Hornby Island . The term "Gulf of Georgia" includes waters other than

2752-814: The goals and strategies in the Integrated Solid Waste and Resource Management plan, as approved by the board. The four goals are to: One initiative of the organization was the Ashcroft Manor Ranch Mega- Landfill Proposal in Ashcroft, British Columbia , in the Thompson Country of the British Columbia Interior , as there is no more room in the Lower Mainland for Metro Vancouver's garbage. A similar project nearby adjacent to

2816-433: The lack of sufficient rack space translates to long waits for cyclists during peak hours. Cycling advocates have long advocated for improvement to this facility, as it is a major choke point limiting Vancouver-to- Tsawwassen Ferry bicycle traffic. Progress was made in June 2022 with the introduction of a "Bike Bus" route operated by TransLink. The bus had space for 9 bicycles and operated between late June until Labour Day on

2880-431: The mainland are separated from Georgia Strait itself by islands and lesser straits but are often spoken of as being in the Strait of Georgia region. BC Ferries operates ferry services connecting Vancouver Island with the mainland. Notable lines include Duke Point - Tsawwassen , Departure Bay - Horseshoe Bay , and Little River - Westview . Minor ferry operators and water taxis provide service to minor islands dotting

2944-559: The metropolitan area. The Metro Vancouver Board has defined its strategic priorities for 2015 through 2018 in its Board Strategic Plan. The organization categorizes its work into action areas as described in the following subsections. However, 84% of the organization's budget is spent in three of those areas – the three utilities (water, liquid waste, solid waste). Metro Vancouver's commitments and its members' commitments to each action area are outlined in eight board-approved management plans as referenced below. Metro Vancouver's tap water

3008-586: The name had a different definition, combining of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Puget Sound as well as the Strait of Georgia and related waters under the name Salish Sea. This latter definition was made official in 2009 by geographic boards of Canada and the United States. In October 2009, the Washington state Board of Geographic Names approved the Salish Sea toponym, not to replace the names of

3072-534: The northern edges of Rosario Strait , which leads south to the Strait of Juan de Fuca , and Boundary Pass , which leads south to Haro Strait and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The Strait of Georgia has a mean depth of 156 m (512 ft) and average surface area of 6,800 km (2,600 sq mi). The Ballenas Basin in the centre of the strait reaches a maximum depth of 420 m (1,380 ft) approximately 15 km (9.3 mi) north of Nanaimo . The Fraser River accounts for roughly 80 percent of

3136-464: The official legal name of the regional district, the GVRD moved in 2016 to change its name to the Metro Vancouver Regional District. The regional district was therefore formally renamed a second time by the Government of British Columbia on 30 January 2017 to the Metro Vancouver Regional District. The Metro Vancouver Regional District (MVRD) is located east of the Strait of Georgia and north of

3200-487: The organization is committed to protecting public health and the environment, and recovering as much resources (energy, nutrients, etc.) as possible out of the waste stream. The liquid waste utility is committed to the goals and strategies in the Integrated Liquid Waste and Resource Management plan, as approved by the board. The three goals are to: Metro Vancouver's solid waste utility is committed to

3264-496: The organization's board also adopted the Ecological Health Framework, which encapsulates Metro Vancouver’s collective efforts around ecological health and provides guiding principles, goals, and strategies to help achieve the vision of a "beautiful, healthy, and resilient environment for current and future generations." The goals are: The organization runs programs and set policy to protect public health and

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3328-565: The region. The service is structured around three functions: fostering collaboration, conducting regional data collection and research, and attracting investment. Metro Vancouver undertakes support functions that underpin the rest of its service areas. In these areas, the organization commits to "contribute to the effective and efficient performance of our regional roles through leadership and collaboration with our members and other stakeholders." There are eight strategic directions guiding work in this area: The organization's board has also adopted

3392-582: The south, the Fraser Valley Regional District to the east, the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District to the north, and the Nanaimo Regional District and Cowichan Valley Regional District across the Strait of Georgia to the west. The MVRD is under the direction of 23 local authorities and delivers regional services, sets policy and acts as a political forum. The regional district's most populous city

3456-467: The strait include Campbell River , Courtenay , Comox , Qualicum Beach , Parksville , Lantzville , and Nanaimo on the western shore, as well as Powell River , Sechelt, Gibsons , and Greater Vancouver on the east. Across the border in the United States , Bellingham, Washington and other communities also lie on the eastern shore. Other settlements on Vancouver Island (such as Duncan ) and

3520-571: The strait. In March 2008, the Chemainus First Nation proposed renaming the strait the " Salish Sea ", an idea that reportedly met with approval by B.C.'s Aboriginal Relations Minister Mike de Jong , who pledged to put it before the B.C. cabinet for discussion. Making the name "Salish Sea" official required a formal application to the Geographical Names Board of Canada . A parallel American movement promoting

3584-408: The time. British Columbia's Minister of Community Services denied the application due to the absence of the term "regional district" within the proposed new name, though it was suggested that the GVRD could brand itself under the unofficial name of Metro Vancouver. After nine years, with growing public recognition of Metro Vancouver, the overall success of the brand, and confusion between the brand and

3648-544: The town of Cache Creek, British Columbia has almost reached capacity. Environmental concerns about the area's sensitive shrub–steppe climate and ecology are strong, while Highland Valley Copper , near Logan Lake , has offered the use of its mine-pit instead. Other MVRD landfill locations serving the regional district in the past have been in the Fraser Mills area, between the Trans-Canada Highway and

3712-579: The tunnel. Winter ice floes and spring flooding, which made ferry navigation hazardous, prompted the demand for a bridge. In 1927, the BC legislature authorized the Fraser River Bridge Company to build a toll bridge linking Ladner to Lulu Island . In 1931, despite opposition that wanted the crossing located at New Westminster , the province fixed the site of the proposed crossing at or near Deas Island. The Municipality of Richmond, engaging

3776-408: The tunnel. On January 10, 2024, an oversized truck struck the roof of the overpass but did not cause any significant damage. On February 16, 2006, it was reported that the provincial government had plans to expand the tunnel's capacity, from four lanes to six, dubbed the "H99" project. On September 28, 2012, Premier Christy Clark announced plans to replace the aging tunnel within 10 years, addressing

3840-550: The urban communities of the University of British Columbia and the University Endowment Lands , in which 98% of the population of Electoral Area A lives. There are also seventeen Indian reserves within the geographical area that are not subject to governance by local authorities or the regional district; they have a combined population of 7,550 (2006). The cities of Abbotsford and Chilliwack and

3904-578: The west coast of North America , owing to the presence of the port of Vancouver , and also due to its role as the southern entrance to the Intracoastal route known as the Inside Passage . The United States Geological Survey defines the southern boundary of the Strait of Georgia as a line running from East Point on Saturna Island to Patos Island , Sucia Island , and Matia Island , then to Point Midgley on Lummi Island . This line touches

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3968-645: Was constructed for the British Columbia Toll Highways and Bridge Authority, and is now administered by the British Columbia Ministry of Transportation. It has not had a toll on it since the 1960s, when tolls were removed from all of the bridges and tunnels in the Lower Mainland . The initial toll was 25 cents; on March 31, 1964, George Massey became the last person to pay the toll, which was then $ 1. The tunnel

4032-415: Was given to seismic factors. The river bed is a 600 m (1,969 ft) thick layer of sediment on top of bedrock. This sedimentary layer may liquefy during a major earthquake , leaving the tunnel with nothing to rest on, and thus vulnerable to total collapse. In recent years, as the awareness of the effect of serious seismic activity developed, an engineering assessment and subsequent retrofit project

4096-479: Was initiated to increase the survivability of the tunnel in the event of a significant earthquake. This retrofit project started in late 2004 and had been completed in November 2006. In the interest of providing active protection for commuters from the danger earthquakes pose to the tunnel, an earthquake early warning system called Shakealarm was installed and commissioned in 2009. This was the first application of

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