The B.C. provincial government has introduced the Surrey Langley SkyTrain expansion project, which will enhance transportation services by providing seamless transport options in the Langley region. The project plans to expand the expo line by 16 kilometres, primarily running along an elevated path along Fraser Highway. The SkyTrain will start from King George Station in Surrey and end at 203 Street in Langley City. The construction for the project is scheduled to begin in late 2024, with the anticipated opening of the new SkyTrain stations in late 2029.
The project’s budget, estimated at around $5.996 billion, covers all infrastructure costs and other supporting costs. This includes building pathways for biking and walking, to provide alternate transportation options connecting to SkyTrain stations.
The project is set to construct eight stations and three transit exchanges. Once completed, travel time between Surrey’s King George Station and Langley’s 203 Street is expected to be 22 minutes. The eight stations to be constructed consist of: Green Timbers, 152 Street, Fleetwood, Bakerview-166 Street, Hillcrest-184 Street, Clayton, Willowbrook, and Langley City Centre. The three transit exchanges are going to be constructed at Bakerview-166 Street, Willowbrook, and Langley City Centre stations.
As stated by Rob Fleming, B.C.’s minister of transportation and infrastructure, the reason for the expansion is that “the populations of Surrey, Langley, and other communities across Metro Vancouver are growing quickly, and we are committed to building infrastructure to meet these needs.”
The preparation work has already begun: BC Hydro has started relocating power lines, as well as conducting site surveys and geotechnical investigations.
By 2050, the expansion is anticipated to increase annual transit trips by 10.3 million. According to the project’s website, other significant benefits of the expansion include “22 minute travel time between King George Station and Langley City Centre” and “65 minute travel time between Langley City Centre and Waterfront Station.”
The completed project is anticipated to bring the regular number of weekday commuters up to 80,000 with an anticipated “330,000 average daily reduction in vehicle kilometres travelled.” This will lead to over 20,000 new jobs being within reach by transit and accommodating residents located in an 800-metre radius of the upcoming transit stations. On the environmental side, the completed project will apparently reduce GHG emissions by 106,000 tonnes.
Besides the SkyTrain expansion, the project intends to add “14 km of multi-use pathways, bike racks, and enclosed bike parking.” This is expected to help provide alternative transportation choices connecting to the SkyTrain stations, promote healthy lifestyle choices, reduce car usage, and ultimately decrease greenhouse gas emissions.
More information and updates can be found on the Government of B.C. website.
