The federal and BC governments have reaffirmed yesterday the $3 billion funding for the Broadway Subway expansion and the Surrey-Newton-Guildford Light Rail Transit — two high profile rapid transit projects in the Lower Mainland.
More specifically, the federal government will provide $1.37 billion while the provincial government will contribute $1.82 billion. Outside of this funding, $1.23 billion will come from Translink, the City of Vancouver and the City of Surrey.
“The Broadway Subway will also go a long way in reducing commute times and transit overcrowding, and making Vancouver’s Skytrain even more convenient and accessible,” said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in a media release.
“Our government will continue to listen to communities, and make historic investments in the infrastructure they need, today and tomorrow.”
Most relevant to the UBC community, the Broadway Subway extension will add six stations to the Millennium line from VCC Clark Station to Arbutus street, shortening the travel from Coquitlam’s Lafarge Lake-Douglas Station to Arbutus Street to approximately 46 minutes.
Currently, the extension’s construction is expected to start in 2020 and to be completed by 2025.
If you commute in Metro Vancouver, you know better transit has been long overdue. And today we’re announcing that funding to expand the Broadway line and build the new LRT is ready to go. Faster trips, more time doing what you love. pic.twitter.com/mYVdDaqxZc
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) September 5, 2018
Speaking at a press conference in Surrey yesterday, Trudeau also announced that the Broadway subway expansion will “include a stop on UBC’s Point Grey Campus, which many students have been asking for for years.”
The Ubyssey has confirmed with the Prime Minister’s Office and Translink that he misspoke.
- ‘Why stop short?’: Town hall panelists advocate for expanding rapid transit to UBC
- UBC already selecting sites for potential subway expansion
In April, the UBC Board of Governors announced that the university is willing to provide support to expand the line to the Point Grey Campus, but no official commitment to its construction has been made.
UBC is grateful to Prime Minister Trudeau, Premier Horgan and Mayor Robertson for mentioning UBC in their support of funding for the Broadway Subway Line.
— Santa J. Ono (@ubcprez) September 5, 2018