Surrey Langley Skytrain - Expo Line Extension | U/C - Page 12

mcj · #**221** Posted **Oct 28, 2025, 10:20 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

Can you compare Canada Line to the Arbutus extension? What a circus.

Cut and cover versus bored tunnels and traffic decks?

dharper · #**222** Posted **Oct 29, 2025, 5:07 AM**

The Expo line had ready-cast beams. They theoretically could install a single span in one night, whereas the Surrey/Langley extension has to assemble each span with segments.

logan5 · #**223** Posted **Oct 29, 2025, 5:17 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by dharper

The Expo line had ready-cast beams. They theoretically could install a single span in one night, whereas the Surrey/Langley extension has to assemble each span with segments.

What does "had ready cast beams" mean.

Its been 40 years since Expo line was built, and subsequent lines, so we should know the routine pretty well, and construction methods have evolved. Should be able to do something that we have done before a lot faster, or at least just as fast.

Vantage · #**224** Posted **Oct 29, 2025, 9:19 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by logan5

What does "had ready cast beams" mean.

Its been 40 years since Expo line was built, and subsequent lines, so we should know the routine pretty well, and construction methods have evolved. Should be able to do something that we have done before a lot faster, or at least just as fast.

The Expo Line is constructed out of pairs of pre-cast concrete beams that were craned into place and span from support to support. All other lines since then have used pre-cast segments that are strung up with a gantry crane and connected together to form one span. The modern construction is little more heavy duty than the Expo Line, just look at the Expo Line guideway compared to the Millennium Line and it looks flimsy in comparison.

WarrenC12 · #**225** Posted **Oct 29, 2025, 4:42 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcj

Cut and cover versus bored tunnels and traffic decks?

Sections of the Canada Line were bored tunnel.

I don't remember any major arteries being fully closed for 4 months either.

RedArbutus · #**226** Posted **Oct 29, 2025, 4:48 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcj

Cut and cover versus bored tunnels and traffic decks?

Honestly I've been half-wondering why they didn't just go with cut and cover if the bored tunnel route had this much disruption and closure anyway. If you have businesses complaining non-stop regardless, might as well save a cool $1-2 billion and cut and cover over a few years....?

jollyburger · #**227** Posted **Oct 29, 2025, 5:01 PM**

^^ I assume you open up a huge can of worms in terms of moving utilities along Broadway for cut/cover versus just having to reroute anything next to the station boxes?

officedweller · #**228** Posted **Oct 29, 2025, 6:36 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

Sections of the Canada Line were bored tunnel.

I don't remember any major arteries being fully closed for 4 months either.

Ditto.

I suspect that the City is piggybacking on (and extending) the closure for the Broadway restoration / redevelopment to make the Province look like the bad guy.

WarrenC12 · #**229** Posted **Oct 29, 2025, 7:39 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by officedweller

Ditto.

I suspect that the City is piggybacking on (and extending) the closure for the Broadway restoration / redevelopment to make the Province look like the bad guy.

Ehhhh.. I kind of doubt it. Some Engineering department guys probably don't care one way or another. I blame the Skytrain contractor.

Migrant_Coconut · #**230** Posted **Oct 29, 2025, 9:18 PM**

Acciona is also responsible for ducking up the North Shore treatment plant. Why we still let them bid for anything is beyond me.

Dave2 · #**231** Posted **Oct 29, 2025, 10:09 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by logan5

Phase 1 of the Expo Line was 21.4 Km's, and took less than 3 years to build, according to Wikipedia.

The Langley extension has a lot more open space to work with, and is shorter than the original Expo line, so it's a good question as to why it would take 5 years to build 16 km's of elevated Skytrain.

Hmm, groundbreaking was on March 1 1982, and it opened on December 11 1985, with revenue service beginning on January 3 1986, so it was closer to four years.

jollyburger · #**232** Posted **Oct 30, 2025, 12:07 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave2

Hmm, groundbreaking was on March 1 1982, and it opened on December 11 1985, with revenue service beginning on January 3 1986, so it was closer to four years.

I think that was just the demo line for ICTS.

https://sfuurban.wordpress.com/2012/07/24/main-street-skytrain-station-the-history-part-1/

The New West line began in mid-1983 with guideways being completed in November 1984.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expo_Line_(SkyTrain)

aberdeen5698 · #**233** Posted **Oct 30, 2025, 1:50 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jollyburger

I think that was just the demo line for ICTS.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expo_Line_(SkyTrain)

I think this is the link you want: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expo_Line_(SkyTrain)

Dave2 · #**234** Posted **Oct 30, 2025, 3:00 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jollyburger

I think that was just the demo line for ICTS.

https://sfuurban.wordpress.com/2012/07/24/main-street-skytrain-station-the-history-part-1/

The New West line began in mid-1983 with guideways being completed in November 1984.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expo_Line_(SkyTrain)

Oh we’re just talking about the guideway? Never mind then

Bobert · #**235** Posted **Nov 1, 2025, 4:02 AM**

The section through the ALR seems to be the only on with 24/7 construction activity. I've seen welding and lifting going on only in that section during late nights.

mcj · #**236** Posted **Nov 2, 2025, 6:57 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobert

The section through the ALR seems to be the only on with 24/7 construction activity. I've seen welding and lifting going on only in that section during late nights.

Probably due to the fact there's not many close neighbours.

officedweller · #**237** Posted **Nov 4, 2025, 2:53 AM**

Pic from the November update:

Tulip Columns at 184 Street
https://app.webtrackz.com/?q=email/view/14_J7MHX0Dy0oO0T9RrdVKbrsykn0dGUEYQ49arkSCe3p7hgtKGj8GCA

Column Formwork at 148 Street
https://app.webtrackz.com/?q=email/view/14_J7MHX0Dy0oO0T9RrdVKbrsykn0dGUEYQ49arkSCe3p7hgtKGj8GCA

Green Timber Station with more mezzanine erected
https://app.webtrackz.com/?q=email/view/14_J7MHX0Dy0oO0T9RrdVKbrsykn0dGUEYQ49arkSCe3p7hgtKGj8GCA

cjones2451 · #**238** Posted **Nov 4, 2025, 11:06 PM**

Here us a great image at Hillcrest-184th St station of the Langley Launcher and Clayton Clipper Gantry Cranes back to back. From their Facebook page

madog222 · #**239** Posted **Nov 6, 2025, 12:20 AM**

Green Timbers Station Construction by B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Transit, on Flickr

officedweller · #**240** Posted **Nov 12, 2025, 12:01 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjones2451

Here us a great image at Hillcrest-184th St station of the Langley Launcher and Clayton Clipper Gantry Cranes back to back. From their Facebook page

It didn't show.
Here it is from twitter Nov 4th

Seeing double? Here at Hillcrest-184 Street Station, 2 launching gantries are side-by-side!
These machines will soon part ways, with the Langley Launcher moving east & the Clayton Clipper heading west.
https://x.com/SLSkyTrain/status/1985799397188268226

Quote:

Originally Posted by madog222

Surrey Sprinter is also moving east.
Perhaps they build a few segments east of the station so that the gantries ending there do not need to enter the station proper for disassembly, allowing the station construction to proceed sooner.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dharper

It appears you are correct. The gantry is now moving West.

Nov 5th:

The Surrey Sprinter has left 152 Street Station!
This launching gantry is now building the elevated guideway above 152 Street, before heading back west towards King George Station.
https://x.com/SLSkyTrain/status/1986135234623025189