Surrey Langley Skytrain - Expo Line Extension | U/C

[idunno]

Stations are looking great. Matching the standardization but also quality of the Evergreen Line. Build this thing!

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by madog222

The stations on the Broadway extension each have an individual contrasting colour.

I never noticed that in the design but the colour inspiration for the Broadway Subway seem to be better integrated into the station design as accent colours on entry ceiling etc. And they are pretty generic as "colours" metallic grey, reflective gold, green, dark copper...

This is just tacky. I'd honestly be more satisfied by a Douglas Coupland metal tree trunk painted neon green on the top of the station house.

[Sheba]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

This is just tacky. I'd honestly be more satisfied by a Douglas Coupland metal tree trunk painted neon green on the top of the station house.

I'm glad I'm not the only one - I specifically commented on it being a 'tacky gimmick' when I filled in the survey this morning.

[officedweller]

It's just unfortunate because some stations will be saddled with trendy colours that may not age well.
Fleetwood (called "red", but looks like dusty rose) and Hillcrest (blah beige) seem the worst to me.

Strange how the lime green in the render posted by Jollyburger isn't even on the list.


https://engage.gov.bc.ca/app/uploads/sit...-Set-General-Boards-November2024-WEB.pdf

[madog222]

Piling at 152nd, getting very close to thread title change time. Taken 20 November.


152 Street Piling by B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, on Flickr

[Stainer]

That's a great shot! I don't remember exactly where I saw it, but it said that the project is now in main construction, which is odd since there hasn't been a ground breaking.. But hey, progress!

[dharper]

It sure looked like they were driving piles at the Langley City Centre Station, when I drove by there a few days ago. I thought it was odd that there was no fanfare that they had started construction.

[Bobert]

Stations are all under construction

Road is being widened near the new OMC

Medians are being taken out all along Fraser Highway

And construction is taking place pretty much all day


So yea, i think this is in full construction mode

[idunno]

Isn't it nice to have an elevated SkyTrain project where stations can start construction right away, instead of a 2/3 year dig dig dig -> install traffic deck -> wait for TBM to pass through schedule before station construction (other than the box) can begin.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by idunno

Isn't it nice to have an elevated SkyTrain project where stations can start construction right away, instead of a 2/3 year dig dig dig -> install traffic deck -> wait for TBM to pass through schedule before station construction (other than the box) can begin.

Don't worry it will still take a painfully long time to finish.

[GMD]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

Don't worry it will still take a painfully long time to finish.

Yes, these projects seem to take forever, but here is something to cheer you up, Seattle comparing 4+ year planning phases for Link projects to 1 1/2 years for the Expo extension to Surrey

[mcj]

Originally Posted by GMD

Yes, these projects seem to take forever, but here is something to cheer you up, Seattle comparing 4+ year planning phases for Link projects to 1 1/2 years for the Expo extension to Surrey

Not really sure that's accurate, the Surrey Rapid Transit Alternatives Analysis process started in 2010 (which did recommend the current Skytrain down Fraser Highway and BRT down King George, but we spent the better part of the 2010s with the LRT boondoggle) and here we are in 2024 barely starting construction on the line (with no construction started on the King George BRT component yet). That's a 14 year timeline from my perspective.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by GMD

Yes, these projects seem to take forever, but here is something to cheer you up, Seattle comparing 4+ year planning phases for Link projects to 1 1/2 years for the Expo extension to Surrey

I'm actually a big fan of Seattle's Link expansions to date. They approve the route and funding up front, and work out the details over time. They have a long range plan.

Our process is arguably backwards. How long have we been talking about Broadway? How many soil sample projects have been done along the line?

[chowhou]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

I'm actually a big fan of Seattle's Link expansions to date. They approve the route and funding up front, and work out the details over time. They have a long range plan.

Our process is arguably backwards. How long have we been talking about Broadway? How many soil sample projects have been done along the line?

On the other hand, doesn't Link have some of the highest construction costs/km in the world? There's definitely a price to be paid when you work under an approve first-ask questions later system.

Personally though, I think Skytrain pretty easily pays for itself due to the implicit economic and social benefits rapid transit provides, so I'm always amenable to fast tracking it, so to speak.

Originally Posted by GMD

Yes, these projects seem to take forever, but here is something to cheer you up, Seattle comparing 4+ year planning phases for Link projects to 1 1/2 years for the Expo extension to Surrey

It's worth noting that the Translink study they source in the original article is this one. I'm not sure if we're still on that timetable.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by chowhou

On the other hand, doesn't Link have some of the highest construction costs/km in the world? There's definitely a price to be paid when you work under an approve first-ask questions later system.

Personally though, I think Skytrain pretty easily pays for itself due to the implicit economic and social benefits rapid transit provides, so I'm always amenable to fast tracking it, so to speak.

Link is going in to a built-up environment much later, and it's grade separated. It ain't cheap either but I believe it does pay for itself.

The Broadway extension is half a Billion per km and we'll be lucky if the "easier" half to UBC isn't more once it actually happens.

[mcj]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

The Broadway extension is half a Billion per km and we'll be lucky if the "easier" half to UBC isn't more once it actually happens.

Not a chance it will be. It's going to be tunneled until at least the Jericho Lands, if not the whole way. You can also attribute planning work for that back to the 1997 plans for the Millennium line and all the phasing, so going on 27+ years of planning process.

[chowhou]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

Link is going in to a built-up environment much later, and it's grade separated. It ain't cheap either but I believe it does pay for itself.

The Broadway extension is half a Billion per km and we'll be lucky if the "easier" half to UBC isn't more once it actually happens.

The West Seattle Link Extension is supposed to be around $1.3 billion CAD per km ($1.5 billion USD per mile) and most of the route isn't even underground.

[officedweller]

Also remember that LRT vehicles weigh more than SklyTrain vehicles.
LRT vehicles are designed to withstand crashes in traffic (even if they do not mix with traffic).
That means the guideways need to be beefier.
I've noticed that the Seattle guideways are much chunkier than the Vancouver guideways.

[BaddieB]

Any updates? I hear construction is happening but haven't seen much.

[officedweller]

Try the MoTI Flickr account:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/tranbc/albums/72177720298782138/