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Project components

The proposed Fraser River Tunnel Project includes the construction of a new, eight-lane immersed tube tunnel that will replace the existing George Massey Tunnel on Highway 99. The new tunnel will have three vehicle lanes and a dedicated transit lane in each direction, with a separated active transportation corridor for cyclists and pedestrians.

The project also includes:

Replacement of the Deas Slough Bridge
Removal of the existing tunnel once the new tunnel is in operation

The Project includes a combination of temporary construction components, permanent infrastructure components and decommissioning/removal of existing infrastructure activities. Location details, which define the Project area, are outlined in the Project components map below. A complete list of Project components is available in Table 3.1-1 in the Fraser River Tunnel Project Initial Project Description.

Map of the Project site including Deas Island, the City of Richmond and the City of Delta.
• Permanent works are identified on the map and include the north tunnel approach, the north and south portals leading to the tunnel, a tunnel operation building, the new immersed tube tunnel in the Fraser River and the new Deas Slough Bridge.
• Temporary works include the tunnel element casting basin and temporary moorage locations which are not shown on the map as locations are to be determined.
• Components to be removed are highlighted, and include the existing George Massey Tunnel, existing portals, and the existing Deas Slough Bridge. — _{Project components map}

Table graphic describing the Project components as shown on the map.

Permanent works are identified, followed by a description of each component:
• North Tunnel Approach: Tie-ins to the existing Highway 99 mainline and ramps, a Rice Mill Road overpass and a CN Railway overpass over the north portal will be constructed.
• North Portal and Technical Building: Roadway structures leading to the new ITT, and a tunnel operations building will be constructed.
• Immersed Tube Tunnel (ITT): A new eight-lane ITT will be installed in the Fraser River and connected to Highway 99 by the north and south portals
• South Portal: Roadway structures leading to the new ITT will be constructed.
• Deas Slough Bridge: A new Deas Slough Bridge will be built and will be designed to maintain the existing navigation clearance.
Temporary works identified, followed by a description of each component:
• Tunnel element casting basin: The tunnel elements will be fabricated in a dry casting basin. Then the casting basin will be flooded to allow the completed tunnel elements to be floated out and lowered into the prepared trench.
• Temporary off-site moorage: Secure temporary off-site moorage locations will be required to stage the completed tunnel elements prior to immersion. Temporary off-site moorage will be located within 11 km downstream of the existing tunnel or 6 km upstream of the existing tunnel.
To be removed work identified, followed by a description of each component:
• George Massey Tunnel: The existing tunnel will be removed. The existing portals will be removed to below grade and backfilled.
• Existing Deas Slough Bridge: The existing Deas Slough Bridge will be removed

Tunnel construction

What is an immersed tube tunnel? An immersed tube tunnel is an underwater tunnel composed of prefabricated tunnel elements that are floated and towed to the tunnel alignment, lowered into place with ballast tanks and then linked together.
The graphic shows five steps to construct the tunnel:
• Step 1: Ground improvements including the installation of stone columns
• Step 2: Trench excavation
• Step 3: The tunnel components are towed through the water and into place
• Step 4: The tunnel components are positioned accurately and fastened to the river floor
• Step 5: Component sections are sealed, and protective layers are added.