METRO VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – The agency that oversees Metro Vancouver is coming out against the proposed Massey Tunnel Replacement Project.

It’s upset over what it calls a lack of consultation and it doesn’t think it should be 10 lanes. It is, however, okay with a smaller bridge or maybe an improved tunnel.

Board Chair Greg Moore says it will now send its research to the province in hopes it will hold off on the tolled crossing, allowing more time to figure out a plan that makes everyone happy.

“The ball is definitely in their court. I think we wouldn’t be doing our job as the regional district if we didn’t come forward with our position on this. We did ask numerous times over this process to have longer periods of time.”

Moore says the agency simply can’t justify turning a four-lane tunnel into a 10-lane crossing.

“Something smaller, in our mind, is the way to go, whether it’s a bridge or a tunnel — we’re not going to that point because that would be presumptutious of what’s required and what we’re saying is you shouldn’t be presumptuous in what you’re building. You should be working through the process together.”

.@MetroVancouver's Greg Moore acknowledges there's heavy congestion, says the province should explore other options pic.twitter.com/zTWPlicjVm — Sonia Aslam (@SoniaSAslam) June 29, 2016

Richmond’s mayor is backing Metro Vancouver’s position, but Delta’s mayor is not.

“We can’t just look literally at the corridor itself. We have to look at all of those other impacts,” says Moore. “We have to look at the bridges that are crossing the Fraser River, leaving Richmond and going into Vancouver. And it’s not just one bridge, but there are multiple bridges along there that will be affected by it and this project is only looking at one of them.”

“We want to work with the provincial government. We want TransLink to be there. We want Richmond, Delta, Surrey and other surrounding communities to be there, to be a part of buying into what the best solution is for today and moving forward.”

He adds they’ve reached out to the federal government for an environmental assessment, but haven’t heard back.

Construction on the $3.5 billion project is supposed to get underway next year.

NEWS 1130’s Sonia Aslam joined Amanda Wawryk and Jim Bennie to talk about this story. You can hear that interview below.