TransLink Mayors' Council proposes $7.5 billion, 10-year transportation expansion plan

The Mayors’ Council that oversees TransLink has proposed a $7.5 billion regional transportation infrastructure expansion plan that will include expanded transit service and new bridges.

The plan was drafted over the last four months after BC Minister of Transportation Todd Stone announced that the Mayors’ Council would be given more authority over TransLink’s long-term planning.

As part of the lead-up to the upcoming referendum on funding for transit expansion, Stone also requested that the Mayors’ Council compile a single vision for Metro Vancouver’s regional transit system no later than the end of June 2014.

The plan tabled earlier today during a press conference consists of a new $2.1-billion light rail transit network in Surrey, a four-lane $1-billion replacement of the Pattullo Bridge, 11 new B-Line routes, 400 new buses to increase service by 25 per cent, and an 80 per cent increase in night bus services.

Specific new B-Lines will include major routes from downtown Vancouver to SFU via Hastings Street, downtown Vancouver to Southeast Marine Drive via Victoria Drive and Commercial Drive, Joyce Station to UBC via 41st Avenue, North Vancouver to downtown Vancouver via Lonsdale Avenue and the Lions Gate Bridge, Metrotown to Capilano University via Second Narrows Bridge, Richmond Brighouse Station to Metrotown via Knight Street Bridge, Surrey City Centre to Langley, and an extension of the existing 96 B-Line to White Rock.

There will also be an $2-billion, 5.1-kilometre underground extension of the SkyTrain Millennium Line using tunnel boring methods, with the first phase consisting of six stations beginning from the existing VCC-Clark Station and ending at Arbutus Street via Broadway. A second future phase will complete the line’s route to UBC.

The SkyTrain Expo and Canada Lines as well as the West Coast Express will receive capacity upgrades. SeaBus service will also be increased by 50 per cent, increasing regular frequency to every 10 minutes.

“Moving forward with this plan after years of input is great news for Vancouver and our whole region. This 10-year plan clearly outlines the priorities for new transit investment that will cut congestion, grow our economy and expand transportation choices,” said Mayor Gregor Robertson.

“We need to prepare for more than one million more people moving into Metro Vancouver in the next 30 years. This plan addresses today’s challenges and lays the groundwork for the strong transportation network that we need to meet that new demand. We simply cannot afford to go backward with reduced transit service and crippling gridlock.”

Federal and provincial governments will be asked to cover $3.95 billion of the costs. The Mayors’ Council will also request the provincial government to direct $250 million of the provincial carbon tax towards covering the remaining budget. If the provincial government does not support this, the Mayors’ Council alternate option is to request for a raise in the carbon tax.

A toll will be placed on the Pattullo Bridge to cover its construction costs over time, and over the long term regional mobility tolling on major bridges and roads could be introduced as a means of funding transit while also reducing traffic congestion.

Full list of transportation expansions and improvements:

• 25% increase in bus service across the region: Adding 400 more buses to the existing fleet of 1,830
• 200 more kilometres of B-Line routes: 11 new limited-stop services that can be faster than driving
• More frequent all-day service: More corridors with service every 15 minutes or better, seven days a week
• More frequent peak-hour service: So that commuters spend less time waiting
• 50% more SeaBus service: Every 10 minutes during peak hours, and 15 minutes the rest of the day
• More service to new and growing lower-density neighbourhoods across the region
• 80% more NightBus service: Increased service for those who need to get around late at night
• 30% more HandyDART service: Improved service for those who cannot use transit without assistance
• Upgrades to the Expo, Millennium and Canada Lines: 129 additional fleet vehicles and stations upgraded to meet growing demand
• More West Coast Express service: 10 additional fleet vehicles and one new locomotive
• 13 new or expanded transit exchanges across the region to serve growing demand and to make the system easier to use
• 2,700 kilometres of bikeways, including 300 kilometres of fully traffic-separated routes
• Better connections to transit through pedestrian improvements at or near transit stops and stations

Underground SkyTrain extension to Arbutus on Broadway

 

Surrey Light Rail Transit

 

The Plan (Infographic)

Featured Image: SkyTrain bridge via Shutterstock