Skytrain from Surrey to 91原创 moved closer to reality today as the government released the project鈥檚 business case and formally approved the provincial tranche of the project鈥檚 funding.
鈥淲ith the release of the business plan and confirmation of provincial funding, we are now one step closer to bringing SkyTrain all the way to 91原创,鈥� said Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. 鈥淥ur business plan confirms this major project will be completed two years earlier than expected, helping to transform the way people live, work and play south of the Fraser.鈥�
The current estimate for the extension to 91原创 will cost $3.94 billion. The provincial will pay $2.4 billion, the feds will kick in $1.3 billion, and the rest ($240 million) will be contributed at the local level. Another $70 million will be used for 鈥渁ctive transportation investments鈥� such as biking and walking infrastructure, which brings the total business-case cost to $4.01 billion.
鈥淚 am thrilled to see the business case has received formal approval,鈥� said Surrey mayor Doug McCallum. 鈥淣ew rapid transit is long overdue in Surrey.鈥�
Mike Starchuk, MLA for Surrey-Cloverdale, called the announcement a 鈥渕ilestone鈥� along the way to completing the first new rapid transit project south of the Fraser in three decades. 鈥淏y shaping growth instead of chasing it, we are ensuring Cloverdale and Surrey become even more connected with Metro Vancouver by providing sustainable low-cost transportation for people.鈥�
According to a press release from the government, groundworks for the extension has already begun on things such as utility relocations and road widening. The release also noted the procurement process for construction will begin this summer.
Plans for the line indicate there will be eight new Skytrain stations along with three new major bus exchanges. Travel time from 91原创 to King George Station on the new line is estimated to be 22 minutes.
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鈥淭oday鈥檚 announcement represents a significant step forward for this important project,鈥� said John Aldag, Cloverdale-91原创 City MP. 鈥淭he Government of Canada committed to investing up to $1.3 billion in the Surrey 91原创 SkyTrain extension to improve transit access, create jobs and support transit-oriented development south of the Fraser.鈥�
The new Skytrain development also offers new opportunities for both market and affordable housing, the release said.
鈥淭he Surrey 91原创 SkyTrain extension will connect more people to housing, employment, schools and services, and encourage higher-density mixed-use development around SkyTrain stations,鈥� said Randeep Sarai, MP for Surrey Centre.
鈥淲ithin 10 years, close to 62,000 commuters will benefit daily from this project, which will encourage more people to leave their car behind and use public transit,鈥� Sarai added. 鈥淭he Surrey-91原创 SkyTrain will also help reduce congestion and travel time, cut emissions and help us tackle climate change.鈥�
The release also said recent changes to the Transportation Act (Bill 16) will guide how both the new housing and new amenities along the Skytrain spine will be built.
鈥淏ill 16 enables the Province to acquire land to build housing and community amenities that are integrated into transit stations or exchanges,鈥� the release noted. 鈥淪upporting residential housing and employment growth along the Fraser Highway corridor will support transit ridership.鈥�
The project will be built under a 鈥渃ommunity benefits agreement,鈥� the release added. 鈥�(It鈥檚) designed to provide opportunities for locals, Indigenous people, women and other underrepresented groups that are interested in starting or furthering careers in construction.鈥�
Major construction is expected to begin in 2024, with the Surrey 91原创 SkyTrain in operation in late 2028.
editor@cloverdalereporter.com
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