COQUITLAM, BRITISH COLUMBIA 

The Evergreen Line project is beginning to take shape, with the first guideway column for the upcoming Metro Vancouver rapid transit line in place.

The elevated guideway column stands near the south tunnel portal at the corner of Como Lake Avenue and Clarke Road in Coquitlam.

“The Government of Canada is proud to invest in infrastructure projects like the Evergreen Line that create jobs and economic growth, and improve public transit for Canadians,” said the Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Transport. “This investment demonstrates the Government of Canada’s commitment to safe, secure, efficient, and environmentally responsible travel, and to building the infrastructure Canada needs for a strong future.”

The 11-kilometre Evergreen Line will link neighbourhoods in Burnaby, Port Moody and Coquitlam and be fully integrated into the existing system, connecting directly onto the Millennium Line at Lougheed Town Centre Station. The project will create approximately 8,000 direct and indirect jobs during construction. The Evergreen Line is on schedule to open in summer 2016.

“The Evergreen Line is an important rapid transit project in Metro Vancouver that will generate jobs, connect communities and provide more transportation options for families,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Todd Stone. “Construction is moving ahead with columns being built to support the guideway in Coquitlam and residents will see work ramping up over the coming months.”

Once it opens, the Evergreen Line will provide an efficient, easy to access, environmentally friendly and affordable transportation choice for families by linking communities and major centres. The Evergreen Line is expected to carry up to 70,000 passengers daily by 2021.

“TransLink is excited to expand its infrastructure, growing Metro Vancouver’s transportation network,” said Ian Jarvis, TransLink’s Chief Executive Officer. “As we look ahead, we can clearly see that the demand for transportation is growing. The Evergreen Line will bring us closer towards a sustainable transportation network and help us continue to deliver efficient, effective and reliable service.”

Guideway construction will continue in Coquitlam throughout the summer and fall, moving south on North Road to Lougheed Town Centre Station. In early 2014, elevated guideway construction will start in Coquitlam at Coquitlam Central Station and move north to Lafarge Lake-Douglas Station.

In Port Moody, guideway construction will start this summer east of Barnet Highway and continue east towards Moody Centre Station. In the fall, guideway work will start at Inlet Centre Station. In addition, preparation work is underway for guideway construction along the existing railway corridor through Port Moody and Coquitlam. Crews are working to complete the necessary tree removal, build access roads, and install culverts and bridges to protect streams.

EGRT Construction is building the elevated and at-grade guideways, a two-kilometre bored tunnel, seven stations, power substations, train operating systems and parking facilities, as well as a vehicle-storage and light maintenance facility. To build the elevated guideway, crews construct foundations and columns and an overhead guideway, followed by track work and systems installation.

With major construction underway, Evergreen Line staff are continuing to meet with local residents, business owners and local governments, to keep them up to date on progress, and notify them of construction activities. Motorists can call the 24/7 traffic information line, or check the website for up to date information on active construction sites, and traffic closures or detours.

Funding for the Evergreen Line is a partnership between the Government of Canada, the Government of B.C. and TransLink. The estimated project cost is $1.43 billion, with the Government of Canada contributing up to $424 million ($350 million from the Building Canada Fund, $67 million from the Public Transit Capital Trust Fund, and $7 million from the P3 Canada Fund), the Government of B.C. contributing $586 million, and other partners contributing $21 million. TransLink is contributing the remaining $400 million and will operate the system when it opens in 2016.

By:news.gc.ca

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