VANCOUVER, B.C. – Transit infrastructure projects in B.C. will get a major boost from the federal government, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced during a visit to Vancouver.
Trudeau announced up to $1.3 billion in federal funding will go towards the Surrey Langley SkyTrain extension project. The province and its partners will fund the rest of the project.
The Surrey Langley extension will connect growing Surrey neighbourhoods, the Township of Langley, and the City of Langley to Surrey Centre and the regional SkyTrain network.
The project design includes 16 kilometres on an elevated guideway from King George SkyTrain Station to Langley City Centre along Fraser Highway. It also includes eight stations, three bus exchanges, park and ride spaces, 30 SkyTrain cars, an operations and maintenance centre, and supporting system upgrades. Officials estimate it could cut commute time for some residents by 25 minutes.
The proposed extension is projected to serve 62,000 daily riders in 2035 and grow to 71,200 riders in 2050. Approximately 24,000 to 30,000 of these riders are expected to switch to transit from other modes of transportation.
Trudeau also committed federal funds to pay for up to 40 per cent of eligible costs toward future planning and business case development for a proposed extension of the Millennium Line from Arbutus Station to the University of British Columbia (UBC).
“As one of the largest employers in the region with world-class health services and an emerging innovation and research hub, UBC will require fast, frequent transit service to meet the needs of students, faculty, and staff who travel there each day from across the region,” noted a release from the province.
“Whether people are commuting to work, going to school, or safely coming back together with family and friends, it’s critical that we provide the better, faster transit options that British Columbians deserve,” said B.C. Premier John Horgan. “We’re pleased to be making record investments in infrastructure, creating thousands of jobs, and this partnership with the federal government will help keep people moving while we build a strong recovery that benefits everyone.”
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