Calling plans to replace the George Massey Tunnel with a bridge “a project straight out of the 1950s,” several community and environmental groups have banded together in asking the prime minister to withhold funding for the proposed crossing when next week’s federal budget is delivered.

Fraser Voices and the Wilderness Committee are among eight bodies signed to an open letter addressed to Justin Trudeau, asking that money be directed instead into transit projects.

They’re also calling for the project to be subject to environmental review, echoing a position taken by Metro Vancouver directors this week.

“I think that’s a good thing that Metro Vancouver has done,” said Fraser Voices spokesperson De Whelan. “I hope that the province and the feds pay attention to that.”

Metro Vancouver’s intergovernmental committee members suggested earlier this week that the province hasn’t provided enough detailed information on the project and argued that the bridge should be eligible for an environmental review out of Ottawa because federal agencies such as Port Metro Vancouver are involved, according to reports.

The groups say that constructing a 10-lane bridge “is at odds” with the federal Liberals’ “ambitious climate goals,” citing research from Seattle’s Sightline Institute, which concluded that carbon emissions increase by 100,000 tonnes over 50 years for every mile of freeway lane added.

The groups suggest increased rapid bus service to ease congestion along Highway 99 and are hoping the federal budget will instead dedicate funds to extending the Skytrain line west along Broadway and to light rail transit in Surrey.  

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Photo: Rendering of Massey Bridge proposal (BC Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure)