Corridor improvements that are designed to help ease traffic congestion and support transit are coming to Highway 99.

Improvements will include a new Steveston interchange, additional bus-on-shoulder lanes, a new bus-only connection at Bridgeport Road and upgraded cycling infrastructure, all in advance of the George Massey Tunnel replacement.

"These improvements are a great start at making travel safer and easier for people coming in and out of our city," said Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie. "I now look forward to support from the federal government for a new tunnel replacement so that this important corridor and our region's worst traffic bottleneck can finally be addressed."

A new Steveston interchange will improve safety and mobility on Highway 99 as well as for east-west traffic along Steveston Highway. It will also improve access to transit stops and pedestrian and cycling connections across Highway 99. These corridor improvements are components of the George Massey Crossing Project and will be delivered in advance of the crossing works.

"Work is starting this year on improvements to Highway 99 for transit users and cyclists, and a new Steveston interchange will be welcome news for commuters frustrated with that bottleneck," said Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. "With these improvements, and a new crossing to replace the old George Massey Tunnel, we'll improve safety, reliability and connectivity on the Highway 99 corridor on both sides of the Fraser River."

Government has completed its review of the business case for the new crossing to replace the George Massey Tunnel. Discussions are ongoing with the federal government on cost sharing for this project. Details will be announced when those discussions have completed.

"For over 60 years, the Steveston interchange has provided an important cross-highway connection for Richmond residents,” said Richmond-Queensborough MLA Aman Singh. “The new interchange will address current and future growth in the area and improve mobility for vehicle, transit and active transportation users."

Richmond-Steveston MLA Kelly Greene said adding bus on-shoulder lanes will make public transit along the highway more reliable, improving accessibility and community connections.

A request for qualifications for the Steveston interchange replacement was issued today with a request for proposals planned for early fall. With a successful contract award, construction on the Steveston interchange is planned to begin in 2022 and be completed in 2025.

Tenders for the Highway 99 bus-on-shoulder lane extension and the transit and cycling improvements at Bridgeport Road and Highway 17A will go out this week. Work is expected to begin this fall.

Steveston interchange details:

• The existing two-lane overpass structure at Steveston Highway and Highway 99 will be replaced to accommodate two eastbound lanes and three westbound lanes (including a left turn lane to southbound Highway 99).

• A new Steveston interchange will improve safety and mobility on Highway 99 as well as for east-west traffic along Steveston Highway.

• It will also improve access to transit stops and pedestrian and cycling connections across Highway 99.

Transit improvements:

• South of the tunnel, bus-on-shoulder lanes along Highway 99 will be extended in both directions. This work will include:

• Addition of a southbound transit priority bus-on-shoulder lane between the Highway 17A (72nd Street structure) and Highway 17 interchanges. This involves widening the existing shoulder for 2.5 kilometres.

• Addition of a southbound transit priority bus-on-shoulder lane for 3.4 kilometres between Highway 17 and Ladner Trunk Road. This will provide a bus-only lane on the existing road shoulder between the east side of the Highway 17 interchange (the 72nd Street structure) and the Ladner Trunk Road off-ramp.

• Addition of a northbound transit priority bus-on-shoulder lane from north of Ladner Trunk Road to the current start of the HOV lane on Highway 99. This involves widening the existing shoulder for 3.5 kilometres.

• At the Highway 99/Highway 17A interchange, the Highway 99 northbound off-ramp and on-ramp will be widened to add a second lane for bus priority.

• Highway 17A lanes will be widened and reconfigured to support eastbound bus/HOV priority.

• North of the tunnel, at Bridgeport Road, a new bus-only access will be created from Bridgeport Road to Highway 99 southbound. This will improve access to the highway for transit and make the commute even quicker.

• This means adding new and widening existing southbound Highway 99 on-ramps to give transit priority from Bridgeport Road, and the addition of multi-use path connections from Oak Street Bridge.

Improvements to cycling infrastructure:

• New multi-use pathway connections will be created from the Oak Street Bridge into the Richmond cycling and pedestrian network.

• Improvements will be made to the bicycle shuttle pull-out on Highway 17A and a new shelter will be installed.

• Improvements to cycling facilities along Highway 17A, including new ramp crossings and better connection into the existing network.