Close X
Thursday, November 14, 2024
ADVT 
National

B.C. invests to upgrade West Coast Express

Darpan News Desk BC Government, 17 Mar, 2021 07:10 PM
  • B.C. invests to upgrade West Coast Express

The safety and well-being of Canadians are top priorities of the governments of Canada and British Columbia.

Investments in public transit during this extraordinary time help support regional economies and make communities more inclusive and resilient.

The Honourable Catherine McKenna, federal Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change; Ron McKinnon, MP for Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam; Rob Fleming, B.C.’s Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure; George Heyman, B.C.’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy; Bowinn Ma, B.C.’s Minister of State for Infrastructure, alongside Gigi Chen-Kuo, interim CEO of TransLink, announced funding for the refurbishment of seven West Coast Express locomotives.

The project includes refurbishing the engines of six of the seven locomotives to extend their lifespan by a projected 15 years. In addition, all head end power units, which provide heat and lighting to the passenger cars, will be replaced to reduce emissions, improve energy efficiency and allow operation of longer trains.

“The West Coast Express is an important transit line for the people of B.C. Federal funding will help to reduce, reuse and recycle by refurbishing older locomotives to give them a new lease on life,” McKenna said. “Cutting emissions from the transportation sector is vital to meeting Canada’s climate goals, and the Government of Canada’s support for cleaner, more climate-resilient rail options will play a significant role. Canada’s infrastructure plan invests in thousands of projects, creates jobs across the country and builds cleaner, more inclusive communities.”

To ensure there is no disruption in service, locomotives will be refurbished one at a time, with each locomotive tested, commissioned and returned to service before work starts on the next locomotive.

“We’re committed to building B.C. back better by continuing to invest in transportation projects that create jobs, give people more options to get to where they need to go and help get people out of their cars and onto public, low-carbon commuter trains,” Fleming said.

The Government of Canada is investing $10.2 million in this project through the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream (PTIS) of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. The Government of British Columbia is contributing $ 9.2 million and TransLink is contributing $1.5 million for this project.

Quick Facts:

  • West Coast Express is a commuter rail service that runs 68 kilometres between Mission and Vancouver.  Prior to COVID-19, up to 11,000 people used the commuter service every day.
  • Through the Investing in Canada Plan, the Government of Canada is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada’s rural and northern communities.
  • The Government of Canada has invested $4.3 billion in 544 infrastructure projects throughout B.C. under the Investing in Canada plan.

MORE National ARTICLES

Abbotsford Police need public's help in finding missing person Chamkaur Singh Brar

Abbotsford Police need public's help in finding missing person Chamkaur Singh Brar
Brar is known to live a transient lifestyle in the Fraser Valley area, specifically between Abbotsford and Langley. Brar is a 47-year-old man, standing 5 ft 7, 132 lbs, thin build, brown eyes and black hair; there is no clothing description.

Abbotsford Police need public's help in finding missing person Chamkaur Singh Brar

Woman in wheelchair victimized

Woman in wheelchair victimized
The victim made her way to a nearby overdose prevention site, where she reported the assault to staff, who then called police. Police located the suspect and he was arrested. Charges related to the assault and the verbal comments have been recommended.

Woman in wheelchair victimized

Police watchdog investigates man's injuries

Police watchdog investigates man's injuries
RCMP say that when an officer arrived, a man allegedly pointed a firearm at her and threatened to shoot before escaping on foot to a nearby residence.    

Police watchdog investigates man's injuries

No need to lose sleep over shift to daylight saving time

No need to lose sleep over shift to daylight saving time
Don't forget to set your clocks an hour ahead, usually before bed Saturday night, to avoid being late for Sunday morning activities.    

No need to lose sleep over shift to daylight saving time

Expert says origins of pandemic could be known in few years

Expert says origins of pandemic could be known in few years
In a press briefing organized by the think-tank Chatham House in London, Peter Daszak estimated that collective scientific research might be able to pin down how animals carrying COVID-19 infected the first people in Wuhan identified last December.

Expert says origins of pandemic could be known in few years

RCMP investigating explosions in Penticton, B.C.

RCMP investigating explosions in Penticton, B.C.
Const. James Grandy says in a statement that the RCMP Explosive Disposal Unit will help investigate two confirmed explosions and other potential blasts. Grandy says police are investigating explosions on March 7 at a local soccer field and on March 8 on the grounds of Carmi Elementary School.

RCMP investigating explosions in Penticton, B.C.