National

The costs of a Metro Vancouver SkyTrain extension jump by $1.9B and it's a year late

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 16 Aug, 2024 09:40 AM

The total cost of building the Surrey-Langley SkyTrain extension in Metro Vancouver has soared by $2 billion and the project has been delayed for a year.

The Transportation Ministry says in a statement the budget of the 16-kilometre extension of the SkyTrain into Langley is now estimated at $5.996 billion, up from the original $4 billion projected.

The project was to be moving passengers in 2028, but the ministry now says it is expected to be in service in late 2029, with the delays attributed to the "current market climate."

The ministry says the project is being built during a time of “significant market challenges” in B.C., and the costs of the project reflect rising inflation and labour-market challenges.

Once completed, the ministry says the commute from Langley into downtown Vancouver would be just over an hour.

The ballooning costs drew criticism from B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad, who says the $2 billion increase is an “absolute disgrace," and shows the NDP government’s inability to manage a major infrastructure project.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Workplace report blames BC Wildfire Service again in another firefighter's death

The WorkSafeBC report into the July 28 death of Zak Muise, employed by contractor Big Cat Wildfire, says the wildfire service didn't adequately supervise use of the utility vehicles, lacked procedures and training about their operation and didn't ensure they were inspected for safety.

Workplace report blames BC Wildfire Service again in another firefighter's death

Crackdown on illegal ride hailing

Mounties in Metro Vancouver say a three-month crackdown on unlicensed ride-hailing drivers has led to more than 66-thousand-dollars in fines. Richmond R-C-M-P say it involved six days of enforcement by officers who used unauthorized ride-hailing apps to book rides and intercept the drivers.

Crackdown on illegal ride hailing

Large scale theft at Lululemon

Two men have been arrested in connection with what police describe as a large-scale theft operation targeting Lululemon stores across the Lower Mainland. Metro Vancouver Transit Police say a 39-year-old man was arrested in April as he was making a getaway at Burnaby's Metrotown SkyTrain station.

Large scale theft at Lululemon

Banff residents vote against downtown pedestrian zone in plebiscite

Banff residents have given a thumbs down to a pedestrian zone in the community's downtown, rejecting the idea in a plebiscite Monday. The Town of Banff posted unofficial results of the vote on its website, saying 1,328 votes were cast against the town council's decision to have a pedestrian zone on Banff Avenue every summer, from the May long weekend to Thanksgiving long weekend.

Banff residents vote against downtown pedestrian zone in plebiscite

Focus on recovery after fire's 'heartbreaking' destruction: mayor of Slocan

Jessica Lunn, mayor of Slocan in British Columbia's Kootenay region, said she drove along Highway 6 this week to survey the damage done by a nearby complex of fires that forced the evacuations of hundreds and destroyed homes along the road. Lunn, who said attention was now turning to recovery, called the losses "heartbreaking," although she couldn't see the damaged buildings from the newly reopened section of highway.

Focus on recovery after fire's 'heartbreaking' destruction: mayor of Slocan

Wildfire smoke causing air quality and visibility issues in northern Manitoba

Many parts of northern Manitoba are under an air quality warning due to wildfire smoke, which is also causing reduced visibility. Environment and Climate Change Canada says the amount of smoke can fluctuate over short distances and can vary considerably from hour to hour.