SkyTrain expansion delays a 'punch in the gut,' say proponents
The Surrey portion of TransLink's upcoming SkyTrain extension will not be opening in 2025 as originally planned, frustrating proponents who have already been waiting on the project for years.
The SkyTrain extension into Langley City was initially going to be built and launched in two phases, but the project is now slated to open as a whole in 2028.
New Westminster Mayor Jonathon Cote, chair of TransLink's Mayors' Council, called the updated timeline "more realistic."
“We’re looking to be able to deliver the project by 2028 now and deliver that as one full project all the way to Langley,” Cote said in an interview with CTV News.
He said there are a couple reasons for the changes, including the impact of the pandemic.
“COVID-19 has had a significant impact on the work plan of TransLink, and no doubt in 2020 particularly had an impact on the financial situation of TransLink and has delayed the Mayor’s Council ability to approve an investment plan,” he said.
SkyTrain proponents are disappointed.
“It’s a little bit of a punch in the gut to hear we’re going to be waiting seven years from today to get the line open,” said Daryl Del Cruz, who is with Skytrain for Surrey.
“SkyTrain for Surrey has been pushing for this expansion for the entirety of the last decade,” he explained.
Surrey’s mayor called reports of the delays “disconcerting,” and said it's time to get shovels in the ground.
Mayor Doug McCallum declined an interview with CTV News, but issued a statement saying in part that it "has been close to 30 years since the last rapid transit expansion in Surrey. For a city that is home to close to 600,000 people, rapid transit is long overdue and is of critical need now.”
But Cote said the changed timeline should not come as a surprise to McCallum.
“The mayor of Surrey has been working with the Mayor’s Council for the past few years and is well aware of all of the issues that we’ve been facing,” Cote said.
SkyTrain proponents want the Fleetwood portion of the line opened while the Langley portion is still being built. It’s not clear if that will happen.
The 16-kilometre expansion from Surrey to Langley City is expected to cost about $3.95 billion.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL has suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
New charges for Ont. woman who previously admitted to defrauding doulas
The Brantford, Ont. woman who was previously sentenced to house arrest after admitting to deceiving doulas has been charged again in connection to a new victim.