{"id":3092,"date":"2023-11-08T09:24:52","date_gmt":"2023-11-08T17:24:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/fraserrivertunnel\/?page_id=3092"},"modified":"2025-05-22T09:29:59","modified_gmt":"2025-05-22T16:29:59","slug":"building-the-tunnel","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/fraserrivertunnel\/building-the-tunnel\/","title":{"rendered":"Building the Fraser River Tunnel"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-engagement-container\"><div class=\"engagement-page\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-engagement-content\"><bcgov-breadcrumb>\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/fraserrivertunnel\">Home<\/a>\n                          <span>\n        Building the Fraser River Tunnel\n  <\/span>\n  <div style=\"display: flex\" slot=\"breadcrumb-extra\">\n      <\/div>\n  <\/bcgov-breadcrumb>\n\n\n<h1 class=\"bcgov-engagement-header \">Building the Fraser River Tunnel<\/h1>\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-center\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/756\/2023\/11\/Building-FRTP_Scale-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"A 3D rendering showing the dimensions of one concrete tunnel element. The tunnel element is shown next to a football field marked with yard lines to show they are similar in size. \" class=\"wp-image-3132 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/756\/2023\/11\/Building-FRTP_Scale-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/756\/2023\/11\/Building-FRTP_Scale-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/756\/2023\/11\/Building-FRTP_Scale-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/756\/2023\/11\/Building-FRTP_Scale-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/756\/2023\/11\/Building-FRTP_Scale-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/756\/2023\/11\/Building-FRTP_Scale-1200x800.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>The Scale: The new tunnel will be made of six tunnel elements. Each element will weigh approximately 60,000 tonnes and will be 130 x 45 metres or about the size of a football field. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:33px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-center\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/756\/2023\/11\/Building-FRTP_Step-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"An aerial view rendering of what the project construction site could look like. It is on the Fraser River waterfront and features cranes, stacks of materials and construction vehicles on site. \" class=\"wp-image-3137 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/756\/2023\/11\/Building-FRTP_Step-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/756\/2023\/11\/Building-FRTP_Step-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/756\/2023\/11\/Building-FRTP_Step-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/756\/2023\/11\/Building-FRTP_Step-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/756\/2023\/11\/Building-FRTP_Step-1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/756\/2023\/11\/Building-FRTP_Step-1-1200x800.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>Step 1: The tunnel elements will be made on Deas Island to promote efficiency and reduce construction traffic in the region.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:33px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-center\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/756\/2023\/11\/Building-FRTP_Step-2-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"An aerial view rendering of one of the concrete tunnel elements being transported into place by four tugboats. There are construction workers and equipment on the tunnel element. \" class=\"wp-image-3097 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/756\/2023\/11\/Building-FRTP_Step-2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/756\/2023\/11\/Building-FRTP_Step-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/756\/2023\/11\/Building-FRTP_Step-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/756\/2023\/11\/Building-FRTP_Step-2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/756\/2023\/11\/Building-FRTP_Step-2-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/756\/2023\/11\/Building-FRTP_Step-2-1200x800.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>Step 2: The tunnel elements will be stored until the riverbed is ready for them, and when ready, tugboats will guide the element into position.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:33px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-center\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/756\/2023\/11\/Building-FRTP_Step-3-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"An aerial view rendering of one of the concrete tunnel elements being positioned into proper alignment using cables for immersion. The transport tugboats float nearby. \" class=\"wp-image-3102 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/756\/2023\/11\/Building-FRTP_Step-3-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/756\/2023\/11\/Building-FRTP_Step-3-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/756\/2023\/11\/Building-FRTP_Step-3-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/756\/2023\/11\/Building-FRTP_Step-3-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/756\/2023\/11\/Building-FRTP_Step-3-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/756\/2023\/11\/Building-FRTP_Step-3-1200x800.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>Step 3: Cables that span the river will secure the tunnel elements before they are carefully lowered into place. This process is called immersion.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:33px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-center\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"685\" src=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/756\/2023\/11\/Building-FRTP_Step-4-5-vertical-e1699489241708-1024x685.jpg\" alt=\"An underwater rendering of the trench structure beneath the Fraser River where the tunnel element will be placed. \" class=\"wp-image-3112 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/756\/2023\/11\/Building-FRTP_Step-4-5-vertical-e1699489241708-1024x685.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/756\/2023\/11\/Building-FRTP_Step-4-5-vertical-e1699489241708-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/756\/2023\/11\/Building-FRTP_Step-4-5-vertical-e1699489241708-768x514.jpg 768w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/756\/2023\/11\/Building-FRTP_Step-4-5-vertical-e1699489241708.jpg 1125w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>Step 4: While the tunnel elements are built, a machine dredges a trench at the bottom of the river. The trench is then prepared for an element to be lowered into place.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:33px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"685\" src=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/756\/2023\/11\/Building-FRTP_Step-4-5-vertical-1-e1699489218546-1024x685.jpg\" alt=\"An underwater rendering of the concrete tunnel element being lowered into the trench structure using cables. \" class=\"wp-image-3552 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/756\/2023\/11\/Building-FRTP_Step-4-5-vertical-1-e1699489218546-1024x685.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/756\/2023\/11\/Building-FRTP_Step-4-5-vertical-1-e1699489218546-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/756\/2023\/11\/Building-FRTP_Step-4-5-vertical-1-e1699489218546-768x514.jpg 768w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/756\/2023\/11\/Building-FRTP_Step-4-5-vertical-1-e1699489218546.jpg 1125w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>Step 5: Special tanks within the tunnel elements are filled with water to help lower the tunnel into position.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:33px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-center\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/756\/2023\/11\/Building-FRTP_Step-6-7-vertical-e1699489197519-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"An underwater rendering of the concrete tunnel element fully submerged in water and positioned in the trench structure. Gravel filling is on the sides and in front of the element. \" class=\"wp-image-3122 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/756\/2023\/11\/Building-FRTP_Step-6-7-vertical-e1699489197519-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/756\/2023\/11\/Building-FRTP_Step-6-7-vertical-e1699489197519-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/756\/2023\/11\/Building-FRTP_Step-6-7-vertical-e1699489197519-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/756\/2023\/11\/Building-FRTP_Step-6-7-vertical-e1699489197519.jpg 1125w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>Step 6: Once the tunnel element is in place, gravel is added to the sides to secure it.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:33px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"678\" src=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/756\/2023\/11\/Building-FRTP_Step-6-7-vertical-1-e1699489273759-1024x678.jpg\" alt=\"A rendering underwater view of the concrete tunnel element being secured in place with large boulder rocks on top and on the sides of the element. \" class=\"wp-image-3557 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/756\/2023\/11\/Building-FRTP_Step-6-7-vertical-1-e1699489273759-1024x678.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/756\/2023\/11\/Building-FRTP_Step-6-7-vertical-1-e1699489273759-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/756\/2023\/11\/Building-FRTP_Step-6-7-vertical-1-e1699489273759-768x509.jpg 768w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/756\/2023\/11\/Building-FRTP_Step-6-7-vertical-1-e1699489273759.jpg 1125w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>Step 7: Large boulders are placed on top of the tunnel elements to protect them in the future. The immersion process is repeated six times to lower each element.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:33px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/756\/2023\/11\/Building-FRTP_Step-8-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"A 3D rendering of a cross section of the completed immersed tube tunnel beneath the Fraser River. It shows the eight lanes, with four lanes of vehicles travelling in each direction. The outer lane in each direction has transit only markings on the road. Two pedestrians and one cyclist are using the multi-use pathway, which is positioned in the centre of the tunnel, completely separated from the vehicles by concrete walls. \" class=\"wp-image-3127 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/756\/2023\/11\/Building-FRTP_Step-8-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/756\/2023\/11\/Building-FRTP_Step-8-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/756\/2023\/11\/Building-FRTP_Step-8-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/756\/2023\/11\/Building-FRTP_Step-8-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/756\/2023\/11\/Building-FRTP_Step-8-1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/756\/2023\/11\/Building-FRTP_Step-8-1-1200x800.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>Once completed the new tunnel will improve traffic flow and access for emergency vehicles. Dedicated bus lanes will make transit trips faster and more reliable. The tunnel will also include the option to walk or cycle at this crossing for the first time.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-engagement-sidebar\"><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Scale: The new tunnel will be made of six tunnel elements. Each element will weigh approximately 60,000 tonnes and will be 130 x 45 metres or about the size of a football field. Step 1: The tunnel elements will be made on Deas Island to promote efficiency and reduce construction traffic in the region. &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/fraserrivertunnel\/building-the-tunnel\/\" role=\"presentation\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" >Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":413,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3092","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/fraserrivertunnel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3092","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/fraserrivertunnel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/fraserrivertunnel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/fraserrivertunnel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/413"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/fraserrivertunnel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3092"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/fraserrivertunnel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3092\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5097,"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/fraserrivertunnel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3092\/revisions\/5097"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/fraserrivertunnel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3092"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}