CANADA: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has confirmed that the federal government would provide up to C$1·3bn to meet 40% of the cost of the proposed Surrey Langley Extension of Vancouver’s SkyTrain automated light metro network, subject to due diligence and the approvals process.
The Province of British Columbia and other partners would provide C$2·54bn to cover the remaining costs. The project would be managed by the province, with the line to be operated by TransLink. Following the project development phase, procurement is expected to take 15 months and construction a further four years.
The 16 km elevated route will run along Fraser Highway from King George station to 203 Street in Langley city centre, serving eight stations. There would be three bus interchanges, park-and-ride sites and an operations and maintenance centre.
Alstom would supply 30 SkyTrain automated light metro trainsets, using options within the fleet renewal and expansion contract which TransLink and Bombardier Transportation announced in December 2020.
The line is intended to improve public transport accessibility in an area with a fast-growing population south of the Fraser River, providing residents with an average commute time of 22 min, more than 25 min faster than the current bus service. Ridership on the extension is estimated at 62 000 passengers/day in 2035, growing to 71 200 per day in 2050. Between 24 000 and 30 000 people expected to switch from other modes.
Trudeau also announced on July 9 a government commitment to fund up to 40% of the cost of planning and business case development for a proposed extension of the Millennium Line from Arbutus station on the Broadway Subway Extension to the University of British Columbia.
‘By continuing to invest in major public transit projects, we’re shortening commutes, creating well-paying, middle class jobs, growing the economy, fighting climate change, and helping make life easier and more affordable for people in British Columbia and across Canada’, he said.
