Close X
Sunday, November 10, 2024
ADVT 
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 costs of a Metro Vancouver SkyTrain extension jump by $1.9B and it's a year late

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. 

MORE National ARTICLES

Years after Insite ruling, drug policy landscape is still being shaped in B.C.

Years after Insite ruling, drug policy landscape is still being shaped in B.C.
In 2021, the Vancouver-based Drug User Liberation Front approached Health Canada with a proposal. Health Canada rejected the application for exemption from drug laws, saying DULF's plan presented too many public health and safety risks — but the group went ahead with it anyway, saying it would save lives.

Years after Insite ruling, drug policy landscape is still being shaped in B.C.

Canada's premiers say Ottawa must meet NATO spending target to keep U.S.'s respect

Canada's premiers say Ottawa must meet NATO spending target to keep U.S.'s respect
At the closing news conference of the Council of the Federation meetings in Halifax, multiple premiers highlighted the importance of Canada's NATO commitment to spend at least two per cent of GDP on defence.

Canada's premiers say Ottawa must meet NATO spending target to keep U.S.'s respect

Western Canada sweats in renewed heat wave, rivergoers told to avoid cheap floaties

Western Canada sweats in renewed heat wave, rivergoers told to avoid cheap floaties
Henke said most of the 50 calls the department has responded to so far this month have been to rescue people stranded on the Bow River, because they didn’t have the appropriate gear to float. Henke said crews will increase their presence along the river to educate people on the types of tubes and rafts that float safely on the water.

Western Canada sweats in renewed heat wave, rivergoers told to avoid cheap floaties

Mayor, PM say better infrastructure is crucial as Toronto cleans up after flood

Mayor, PM say better infrastructure is crucial as Toronto cleans up after flood
Chow called Tuesday a "challenging day" for Canada's most populous city, telling reporters that the widespread flooding brought urgent focus on the upgrades needed to the city's ageing infrastructure.   

Mayor, PM say better infrastructure is crucial as Toronto cleans up after flood

Unexpected dip in inflation rate in June

Unexpected dip in inflation rate in June
The inflation rate fell to 2.7 per cent in June, but the pace of growth in grocery prices accelerated for the second month in a row. Statistics Canada reports grocery prices rose 2.1 per cent year-over-year in June, up from May's increase of 1.5 per cent. This is the last inflation report before the Bank of Canada's next interest rate decision next Wednesday.

Unexpected dip in inflation rate in June

Cabinet to meet for first time since byelection loss amid speculation over shuffle

Cabinet to meet for first time since byelection loss amid speculation over shuffle
The Prime Minister's Office says the Liberal cabinet will have a brief meeting this Friday. A separate source with knowledge of the meeting who wasn't authorized to speak publicly said it was scheduled to be 20 minutes long.

Cabinet to meet for first time since byelection loss amid speculation over shuffle