The province won’t be building either a bridge or road link to connect the Sunshine Coast to the Lower Mainland due to “technical and financial challenges.”
A study from R.F. Binnie and Associates that was commissioned by authorities found the project would cost between $2.1 billion and $4.4 billion.
The idea of a bridge or road link has been floated for many years by various political parties.
It appears as if this study will put an end to such a proposal, at least for the foreseeable future.
“Each of the options presents serious challenges, including steep rocky areas, mountain passes and deep water channels, which would result in very high construction costs,” reads a news release this week from the Ministry of Transportation. “As well, none of the options completely eliminates the need for ferry travel.”
The province said the cost-benefit analysis didn’t work out in favour for either a bridge or a road link.
“The significant costs, moderate-to-low traveller volumes and increase in safety risks (road travel compared to ferry travel) contributed to these results,” the release said.
