Expo Line - Surrey Langley Extension: Planning & Pre-Construction

[Sheba]

Originally Posted by Firebrand

To further add the stupidity of the "SkyTrain being cold", he said this:

How is a self-driving car more "modern and efficient" when we have a grade-separated, automated train that has been running well for the Metro Van region since 1986?

Don't send him links to self driving cars crashing - his head might explode.

Plus that's missing a major point of transit - that you have a bunch of people in one vehicle vs a bunch of vehicles with 1 or 2 people. Congestion will still be a problem until we can minimize the number of SOVs on the road.

I wish we had more Skytrain lines but the reality is they're expensive, so in the meantime the emphasis seems to be on more B-Lines while we try to pay for what's already on our wish list. Have you filled out the latest survey about B-Lines I linked to in Transit Discussion?

[flipper316]

Originally Posted by cganuelas1995

Gotta love how they included a commuter getting frustrated at the Compass machine.

Lol the guy at the end at Newton Exchange? Why is he wearing a nice suit. Should be some skid with baggy shirts and crooks and castle hoodie or something.

[scryer]

They would release this sleek video rendering to try and curb the opinion on the LRT, as shopped by Translink....

I love, love, love how they purposely skipped the part where the LRT has to cross like 5 lanes of traffic from Surrey Central to KG Station. Even THEY knew that that would be a messy animation.

[Sheba]

Originally Posted by scryer

They would release this sleek video rendering to try and curb the opinion on the LRT, as shopped by Translink....

I love, love, love how they purposely skipped the part where the LRT has to cross like 5 lanes of traffic from Surrey Central to KG Station. Even THEY knew that that would be a messy animation.

...or how the only corner they show is for 104th.

Considering how the survey results came back: "the Surrey Newton-Guildford light rail transit (LRT) was by far rated as the least important project in TransLink’s Phase Two plan..." - with any luck this project is now DOA.

[cganuelas1995]

Originally Posted by flipper316

Lol the guy at the end at Newton Exchange? Why is he wearing a nice suit. Should be some skid with baggy shirts and crooks and castle hoodie or something.

Could be going to court.

[scryer]

Originally Posted by Sheba

...or how the only corner they show is for 104th.

Considering how the survey results came back: "the Surrey Newton-Guildford light rail transit (LRT) was by far rated as the least important project in TransLink’s Phase Two plan..." - with any luck this project is now DOA.

Next time you log on, you better knock on wood .

I'm not holding my breath on this going away so easily because of a survey. I think that a combination of proper protesting and more media attention are warranted before we can put this puppy to bed.

[GlassCity]

Originally Posted by Sheba

...or how the only corner they show is for 104th.

Considering how the survey results came back: "the Surrey Newton-Guildford light rail transit (LRT) was by far rated as the least important project in TransLink’s Phase Two plan..." - with any luck this project is now DOA.

Doesn't seem like it. The City of Surrey seems to be all-in on this project, and the Province seems to be giving them their full support. I'm not trying to be dramatic or anything, but they actually don't care what people think.

Remember this?

CBC News, January 18, 2017

Hepner said the new consultations around the project — which she's calling the L-line — will not be an opportunity for light-rail critics to air their grievances.

"Please don't come to the meetings and talk about that because this decision has been made. The L-line is going ahead. It's going to be light rail," she said.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-co...lrt-under-construction-by-2018-1.3940921

The only possible way out of this that I see is a new mayor/city council in Surrey that's against the LRT. The Province is trying to be "municipality friendly," and the reason the rest of the Mayors' Council voted in favour of it is because they want Surrey to just stop complaining, so neither of those actors will force the project to change. The people don't want it, but the City of Surrey does like crazy. But if the City changes its tune, every other level will as well. Because they're not supporting the project, they're supporting Surrey, regardless of what they come up with.

[Firebrand]

Originally Posted by GlassCity

Doesn't seem like it. The City of Surrey seems to be all-in on this project, and the Province seems to be giving them their full support. I'm not trying to be dramatic or anything, but they actually don't care what people think.

Remember this?

CBC News, January 18, 2017

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-co...lrt-under-construction-by-2018-1.3940921

The only possible way out of this that I see is a new mayor/city council in Surrey that's against the LRT. The Province is trying to be "municipality friendly," and the reason the rest of the Mayors' Council voted in favour of it is because they want Surrey to just stop complaining, so neither of those actors will force the project to change. The people don't want it, but the City of Surrey does like crazy. But if the City changes its tune, every other level will as well. Because they're not supporting the project, they're supporting Surrey, regardless of what they come up with.

I don’t get the bureaucratic bulls*** the NDP does to please the mayors (I think they’re trying to use their sympathy card because the BC Liberals didn’t care about any of the transit projects). The City of Langley gets ignored by the the rest of the Region and the Township doesn’t even know who to side with, but I’m having a gut feeling that they’ll go to Surrey’s direction.

[GlassCity]

Originally Posted by Firebrand

I don’t get the bureaucratic bulls*** the NDP does to please the mayors (I think they’re trying to use their sympathy card because the BC Liberals didn’t care about any of the transit projects). The City of Langley gets ignored by the the rest of the Region and the Township doesn’t even know who to side with, but I’m having a gut feeling that they’ll go to Surrey’s direction.

I mean if you look at it theoretically, without paying attention to the disaster that is Surrey LRT, the position makes sense. Municipalities are closer to the people and they're self governing; let them decide what they want, and the Province will support them. And yes, because the Liberals provided next to no support, the NDP's (natural) response was to provide all of it.

So really, I don't fault the NDP for the position they've taken - it was the logical, and politically smart, one to take. It'd be great if they stepped in here, but I still place all my blame on the Surrey politicians who are buying into the "Monorail!!" hype of LRT that's sweeping North America.

[Firebrand]

Originally Posted by GlassCity

I mean if you look at it theoretically, without paying attention to the disaster that is Surrey LRT, the position makes sense. Municipalities are closer to the people and they're self governing; let them decide what they want, and the Province will support them. And yes, because the Liberals provided next to no support, the NDP's (natural) response was to provide all of it.

So really, I don't fault the NDP for the position they've taken - it was the logical, and politically smart, one to take. It'd be great if they stepped in here, but I still place all my blame on the Surrey politicians who are buying into the "Monorail!!" hype of LRT that's sweeping North America.

Well, they are going a bit too far pandering to a mayor who wants a ground-level median train that’ll make Edmonton cringe. If they are willing to support Surrey that much, why can’t they take the Langleys in to consideration? (It probably has to do with Surrey’s massive population growth and it’s electoral districts.)

[GlassCity]

Originally Posted by Firebrand

Well, they are going a bit too far pandering to a mayor who wants a ground-level median train that’ll make Edmonton cringe. If they are willing to support Surrey that much, why can’t they take the Langleys in to consideration? (It probably has to do with Surrey’s massive population growth and it’s electoral districts.)

Yeah, you answered your own question. Surrey has a high population, which makes its leadership more influential.

[flipper316]

Originally Posted by cganuelas1995

Could be going to court.

Lol maybe he's buying a ticket for the 342 bus which goes right by the courthouse.

[flipper316]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4iPBZizkgM
Start the clip 1:!5 in. Unfortunately, EHS will have to deal with this too. No different than waiting for a train i guess. Just thought i'd fan some more flames into this fire.

[Trainguy]

Originally Posted by Firebrand

I don’t get the bureaucratic bulls*** the NDP does to please the mayors (I think they’re trying to use their sympathy card because the BC Liberals didn’t care about any of the transit projects). The City of Langley gets ignored by the the rest of the Region and the Township doesn’t even know who to side with, but I’m having a gut feeling that they’ll go to Surrey’s direction.

It is bad enough having Hep's Vanity L line project built along 104th ave but leave the Fraser Hwy alone. Just extend the Expo Line to Langley. Enough people need to complain and voice their opinion about Phase 3.

[Metro-One]

Originally Posted by Trainguy

It is bad enough having Hep's Vanity L line project built along 104th ave but leave the Fraser Hwy alone. Just extend the Expo Line to Langley. Enough people need to complain and voice their opinion about Phase 3.

Exactly.

I can understand the politics and pandering that has led to the L-Line making it this far in its sub-par form, but there is no excuse for the Fraser Highway Line bing built as LRT.

This is where the NDP government and Translink will jump the shark in pandering if they don’t step in and build it as an extension of the Expo Line.

Would be pretty gross to intentionally sabotage such a major regional transit project just to please Surrey’s current civic government.

I really really hope that the results of that survey, which paints a very clear picture, starts to make an impact.

[VancouverOfTheFuture]

Originally Posted by Metro-One

Exactly.

I can understand the politics and pandering that has led to the L-Line making it this far in its sub-par form, but there is no excuse for the Fraser Highway Line bing built as LRT.

This is where the NDP government and Translink will jump the shark in pandering if they don’t step in and build it as an extension of the Expo Line.

Would be pretty gross to intentionally sabotage such a major regional transit project just to please Surrey’s current civic government.

I really really hope that the results of that survey, which paints a very clear picture, starts to make an impact.

dont worry too much guys.

Evergreen was LRT as a sure thing until one day it wasn't. phase 2 is years and years off. and i don't see the GreeNDP getting back in.

[Firebrand]

Originally Posted by VancouverOfTheFuture

dont worry too much guys.

Evergreen was LRT as a sure thing until one day it wasn't. phase 2 is years and years off. and i don't see the GreeNDP getting back in.

I’m not so sure about that. The GreeNDP seem to be very keen to support the mayors’ projects, whether they be good or bad as long as they pander for votes.

[Sheba]

Originally Posted by Trainguy

It is bad enough having Hep's Vanity L line project built along 104th ave but leave the Fraser Hwy alone. Just extend the Expo Line to Langley. Enough people need to complain and voice their opinion about Phase 3.

Originally Posted by Metro-One

I really really hope that the results of that survey, which paints a very clear picture, starts to make an impact.

The L Line was Dianne Watts vanity project that Linda Hepner inherited and ran with it. With that survey it's looking more and more like it's only Surrey politicians who want LRT - the general public certainly doesn't look like they do.

The elections this fall could be interesting...

Hepner joins a growing list of Lower Mainland mayors who have said they’re not running for re-election in October. Those mayors include: Darrell Mussatto (City of North Vancouver); Richard Walton (District of North Vancouver); Gregor Robertson (Vancouver); Greg Moore (Port Coquitlam); Ted Schaffer (City of Langley); Nicole Read (Maple Ridge); Wayne Baldwin (White Rock); and Lois Jackson (Delta).

...

Popular former mayor Dianne Watts, who didn’t run in the 2014 municipal election and has since served as an MP and run unsuccessfully for leadership of the B.C. Liberals, has also said she has no plans to take a run at her old seat.

[Firebrand]

Originally Posted by Metro-One

I can understand the politics and pandering that has led to the L-Line making it this far in its sub-par form, but there is no excuse for the Fraser Highway Line bing built as LRT.

This is where the NDP government and Translink will jump the shark in pandering if they don’t step in and build it as an extension of the Expo Line.

Would be pretty gross to intentionally sabotage such a major regional transit project just to please Surrey’s current civic government.

I really really hope that the results of that survey, which paints a very clear picture, starts to make an impact.

Doubtful. Hepner wants the Surrey-Langley LRT set in stone before she leaves, and hoping that one of the current councillors will step in for her like what she did for Watts. You can’t change a mind of a transit agency who’s bound to the power of elected officials, and a provincial party that’s turned to deaf ears from the general public (Langley residents in particular). The only way to stop is what scryer said earlier: more media attention and bigger protests that’ll have a significant effect on the project.

Originally Posted by Sheba

The L Line was Dianne Watts vanity project that Linda Hepner inherited and ran with it. With that survey it's looking more and more like it's only Surrey politicians who want LRT - the general public certainly doesn't look like they do.

The elections this fall could be interesting...

Sadly, Derek Corrigan wants to keep the ball rolling, so I don’t think we’ll have the SFU Gondola built anytime soon.

Crap; Schaffer is leaving. I hope CoL won’t have a mayor that’ll jump on the Surrey LRT bandwagon.

[xd_1771]

For anyone interested:

SNG LRT socio-economic report FULL DOWNLOAD (PDF, 250MB)

The Surrey LRT website splits up every single chapter into its own PDF, which I found difficult to properly review (the TL/SNG team are clearly trying to make it difficult for us...). To aid in this process I have merged all of the files into a single large PDF and it is available for download at the link above. It is 906 pages long.

Kinda interesting how they've given the public just under 3 weeks to review a 900+ page long document and made the whole thing relatively difficult to access...