Overview
- The province said it could not reach commercial terms with the Cross Fraser Partnership and has terminated that agreement, returning the Massey Tunnel replacement to competitive procurement.
- Instead of one large contract, the project will be split into several work packages so different contractors can bid on separate components, an approach the government likened to recent B.C. infrastructure projects.
- The government maintains major construction still targets a 2027 start and a 2030 opening with the previously estimated $4.15 billion price tag and says roughly 200 workers remain on early works and design tasks.
- Local officials and opposition politicians criticized the decision, Delta Council passed a unanimous motion calling for an independent third‑party review, and critics highlighted about $300 million spent on planning since 2017.
- News outlets emphasized different angles: local coverage focused on political fallout and mayoral candidates' reactions while other reports highlighted the procurement shift and the province’s promise that the schedule and cost will not change.