DELTA (NEWS1130) – Ongoing questions about the Massey Tunnel Replacement Project haven’t stopped the province from starting the prep work.

The soil is now being tested in the area where the bridge would be built.

That geotechnical work will help engineers design the replacement.

Geoff Freer, who is the project’s executive director, says this phase will take a few weeks.

“We’re basically drilling holes down into the ground and on the side of the river, just to get samples of the soils there in areas where we’re proposing to have foundations for the future bridge.”

Freer promises traffic won’t be disrupted.

“Through this whole project, our biggest priority will be maintaining traffic as it is today, so you don’t disturb people going through the whole project.”

Delta has voted to let the project work earlier on Saturdays than local noise bylaws usually allow.

“It can be noisy at times,” says Freer. “For the most part, it is close to the highway and most areas, it’s not close to residential areas, although there may be some of that.”

Metro Vancouver has been asking the province for more information about how the new bridge would fit with regional plans.

Construction is expected to start in 2017.