SURREY, BC – Today, TransLink released details of its $7.3 billion Investment Plan for improvements to Metro Vancouver’s transit and transportation system.
“The Phase 2 investment plan for the 10-Year Vision to fund vital major transportation projects in Metro Vancouver will ensure that Surrey, finally, will get the needed transportation investments that the city so desperately needs. Light Rail Transit through leading edge technology will ensure Surrey is a destination and that the South Fraser economic region is connected,” said Anita Huberman, CEO, Surrey Board of Trade.
Today’s briefing included updated cost estimates for the projects. The original estimates are now four years old and since that time, we have seen increases in property costs, downward pressure on the Canadian dollar and rising construction material and labour costs.
“We are closer than ever to beginning construction.”
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This historic level of transportation funding will ensure Metro Vancouver can meet the needs of residents, commuters, businesses and be better prepared to accommodate the addition of another one million people to the region over the next 30 years.
TransLink will launch public engagement for the Investment Plan to provide the public an opportunity to comment on the spending priorities and the sources of revenue for the program. Costs of improvements and projects have been updated and are available for public review.
The TransLink Mayors’ Council has reached an agreement on a regional funding model with the Province of British Columbia for Phase Two of the 10-Year Vision. It was important to both that the funding model be fair for transit users, drivers, property owners and developers. Senior government contributions to Phase Two projects are subject to final approvals from the Province of British Columbia and the Government of Canada.
Phase Two of the 10-Year Mayors’ Vision for Transportation includes significant increases to bus and SkyTrain service as well as construction of two new rapid transit projects that have been in the planning stages for years. The Investment Plan includes:
· Extension of the Millennium Line and construction of 6 new SkyTrain stations along Broadway from VCC-Clark to Arbutus Street.
· Construction of the Surrey-Newton-Guildford LRT Line along 104 Avenue, City Parkway and King George Boulevard.
· Planning and design for Surrey-Langley rapid transit.
· 108 new SkyTrain cars for Expo and Millennium Lines, as well as 95 replacement cars for the existing fleet.
· Increase Expo and Millennium Line service during rush hours, mid-day, and weekends starting in 2019.
· Increase Canada Line service during rush hours, evenings, and weekends starting in 2020.
· Modernization of Expo-Millennium Line infrastructure including upgrades at Brentwood and Burrard Stations.
· 8% increase in bus service to carry more passengers on 75 different bus routes.
· 2 new B-Lines in Richmond and Surrey.
· New bus service in Vancouver, Surrey and North Vancouver.
· Over 150 new buses as well as replacement of existing fleet.
· 7% increase in HandyDART service.
· $75 million for rehab and upgrades to the Major Road Network.
· $50 million for pedestrian and cycling improvements.
· Planning on potential Burnaby Mountain Gondola, rapid transit to UBC, and other future potential projects.
The public can learn more and provide feedback online at tenyearvision.translink.ca until May 11 or attend any of the eight pop-up open houses being held around the region.
The final Phase Two Investment Plan will be presented to the Mayors’ Council and TransLink Board of Directors in June. If approved, Metro Vancouver residents will see Phase Two-funded improvements to services as early as 2019.
