TransLink, BC Transit to Share C$204MM in COVID Relief
Metro Vancouver’s TransLink and Victoria’s B.C. Transit will receive a total of C$204 million in COVID-19 relief from the government of Canada and the province of British Columbia (B.C.).
Skytrain
Transit Briefs: Calgary Green Line; Denver RTD; Vancouver SkyTrain
A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) has been released for Phase 1 of the Green Line Light Rail Transit project in Calgary. Also, Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD) has launched a system-wide fare study and equity analysis; and the Vancouver City Council has endorsed the proposed route and station locations for the Millennium Line SkyTrain extension from Arbutus Street to the University of British Columbia.
Transit Briefs: Metrolinx, TransLink, VRE, WMATA
Metrolinx has awarded Toronto’s Union Station Enhancement Project to ONTrack Alliance. In addition, Metro Vancouver’s Transport 2050 plan is now final; the $5 million rehabilitation of Virginia Railway Express’ (VRE) Fredericksburg station is expected to begin this summer; and Washington Area Metropolitan Transit Authority (WMATA) has earned a Transportation Security Administration award.
Canada, TransLink Investing C$290MM in SkyTrain Projects
Infrastructure Canada has reported that the government of Canada and Vancouver’s TransLink have committed C$236.7 million (US$188.49 million) to build additional SkyTrain maintenance facilities; the government will also invest C$53 million (US$ 42.2 million) to upgrade SkyTrain’s Burrard Station on the Expo Line and to expand Expo and Millennium line stations to support larger five-car, 85-meter (276-foot) trains.
Vancouver SkyTrain Extension to Receive C$1.3B
The Canadian government will provide up to C$1.3 billion (US$1.04 billion) for the Surrey Langley SkyTrain extension, a more than C$3 billion (US$2.4 billion) project to expand metro Vancouver’s Expo Line 16 kilometers (9.94 miles).
Thales Vehicle On-Board Controllers Selected for Vancouver SkyTrain
Thales will supply 82 SelTrac™ Vehicle On-Board Controllers (VOBCs) as part of TransLink’s SkyTrain fleet expansion in Vancouver.
Vancouver TransLink Ordering 205 SkyTrain Cars
TransLink has selected Bombardier Transportation to supply 205 new SkyTrain cars for the Expo and Millennium lines of its automated rapid transit system in Vancouver. The C$722.6 million contract will be signed in the coming days, the agency reported. Delivery of the first car is expected in 2023; all cars are slated for service by year-end 2027.
Shovels Ready for Vancouver’s Broadway Subway Project
Vancouver’s C$2.83 billion Broadway Subway Project is expected to move forward this year, extending the existing SkyTrain Millennium Line 5.7 kilometers (3.5 miles) and adding six stations—despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
Canada backs B.C. transit improvements
The Canadian government says it remains committed to making significant investments in infrastructure that will improve public transit systems, strengthen Canadian communities and help grow the economy.
Vancouver transit plebiscite set for spring
Voters in the Vancouver, B.C., metropolitan area will vote by mail between March 16 and May 29 on a half-per-cent sales tax proposal, which would be used to fund several transit projects agreed to by regional mayors.