surrey-langley-skytrain-extension-cost-increases-50-per-cent
|

Surrey Langley SkyTrain extension cost increases 50 per cent

ByCharles Brockman

Posted August 15, 2024 4:11 pm. Last Updated August 15, 2024 4:14 pm. The B.C. government says the cost of building the Surrey Langley SkyTrain extension will cost $2 billion more than originally estimated and take longer to build. Citing “significant market challenges in British Columbia, across Canada, and around the world,” the province says the project will now cost almost $6 billion. Transportation Minister Rob Fleming tells OMNI News the government is managing cost escalation pressures seen worldwide. “Construction costs for public transit, heavy infrastructure around North America and across the world have increased coming out of the pandemic. We saw 40-year record-high inflation become embedded into the cost of materials and labor. Rates have gone up by about 20 per cent in just the last three years. So that meant that the price has gone from $4.1 billion to $5.996 billion,” said Fleming. He says the cost is not likely to escalate again after signing contracts and claims that the province has negotiated a good deal compared to projects in Alberta and Ontario. “They’re building in Calgary something called the Green Line. Their costs have escalated to about $500 million per kilometre for that line; the Surrey Langley SkyTrain will cost about $375 million per kilometre.” Approved in 2022, the extensions were originally set to be complete in 2028. As of an update Thursday, the province says the “anticipated in-service date” is now set for “late 2029.” The MLA for Surrey South and BC Conservatives party member Elenore Sturko took to social media to criticize the BC NDP and the new price tag. In a video, she says the increase is breaking news, but not shocking news. “This stuff does not make sense. This province is absolutely financially mismanaged,” said Sturko. Fleming says the payoff will be worth the time and money. “Around the eight stations that are going to be part of transit-oriented development are going to provide amazing economic benefits. About 20,000 jobs will be located near those eight stations — about 100,000 homes built…within 800 meters of those eight stations. So it’s a great project for the region.” The province says the SkyTrain expansion will extend the Expo Line 16 kilometres from King George Station in Surrey to 203 Street in the City of Langley, with eight stations and three transit exchanges. —With files from Charlene Ling

bc-commits-$2.65-billion-for-hwy-1-widening-project-between-langley-and-abbotsford
|

B.C. commits $2.65 billion for Hwy 1 widening project between Langley and Abbotsford

Byvancouversun

The project was originally slated to be completed by 2026 Published Aug 14, 2024  •  2 minute read The Trans-Canada widening project — a 2020 NDP campaign promise — has been delayed, much to the frustration of commuters often stuck in traffic jams and businesses clamouring for an improved corridor for the estimated $65 million of goods transported every year. Photo by Francis Georgian /PNG The B.C. government has announced $2.65 billion in funding to widen and improve Highway 1 in the Fraser Valley in order to reduce traffic congestion and cut commute times between Langley and Abbotsford. The Trans-Canada widening project — a 2020 NDP campaign promise — has been delayed, much to the frustration of commuters often stuck in traffic jams and businesses clamouring for an improved corridor for the estimated $65 million of goods transported every year. Most of Abbotsford will be served by the widened freeway. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Vancouver Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Vancouver Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. Sign In or Create an Account or Article content Premier David Eby acknowledged the delays and cost increases for the project, which was originally slated to go to Whatcom Road and be completed by 2026. He said flooding at the Sumas Prairie in 2021, global inflation, and the increase in volume on the highway has made the project challenging. “I feel the frustration of everybody who sits in traffic who wants to get this road open as quickly as possible,” he said Wednesday. “That’s what I want too.” He said the expanded and improved highway will help residents of the fast-growing Fraser Valley region by cutting commutes by car and transit, and help improve the shipment of goods. The widening project spans 21 kilometres of Hwy. 1 between the 264th Street interchange and Highway 11, or the Sumas Way exit, in Abbotsford. It has been broken up into two sections. Last fall, the province announced $2.34 billion in funding for upgrades for the first section, the 13-kilometre stretch between 264th Street and Mount Lehman Road in Abbotsford. Construction will start this year and is expected to be completed in 2029. The announcement commits the province to funding the remaining eight-kilometre stretch from Mount Lehman Road to Highway 11. The ministry said procurement for this stage will begin in 2025, with construction starting the year after and completion slated for 2031. Article content The project will be expanded to include Whatcom Road in Abbotsford through the Sumas Prairie toward Chilliwack. The province has not announced funding or a start or completion date for this phase. In addition to widening the highway, the government plans to rebuild overpasses at Peardonville Road, Bradner Road, and the CPKC rail overhead to improve height clearance for commercial trucks, said the ministry. A new crossing at Glover Road has been completed. New interchanges will be built at 232nd and 264th streets in Langley and on Mount Lehman Road and Highway 11 in Abbotsford as part of the project. These interchanges will include HOV lanes and bus-on-shoulder lanes. More than 80,000 drivers use the highway between Langley and Abbotsford and through the Sumas Prairie to Chilliwack daily, says the ministry. Recommended from Editorial Vaughn Palmer: NDP ditch election promise on Hwy. 1 widening Fraser Valley business groups to province: Speed up highway widening Bookmark our website and support our journalism: Don’t miss the news you need to know — add VancouverSun.com and TheProvince.com to your bookmarks and sign up for our newsletters here. You can also support our journalism by becoming a digital subscriber: For just $14 a month, you can get unlimited access to The Vancouver Sun, The Province, National Post and 13 other Canadian news sites. Support us by subscribing today: The Vancouver Sun | The Province. Article content