The Surrey Light Rail system is a planned 10.5-kilometre (6.5 mi) network in Surrey, British Columbia containing one light rail line radiating from the Surrey CentralSkytrain station and transit hub. First proposed in 2012 by Surrey mayor Dianne Watts,[1] the first construction is expected to start in 2019 with an opening date set for 2024.[2]
Timeline
This project—among others, including the extension of the Millennium Line west to Arbutus—was included as one of the initiatives in need of funding that was proposed to be raised by the imposition of a regional sales tax which was put forward for voter approval in a 2015 plebiscite. The electorate voted against the tax increase to fund regional projects and provide a long term sustainable funding model;[3] however, Surrey Mayor Linda Hepner said, after the sales tax was voted down, that the city still planned to build the light rail project as it was the main component in her election campaign.[4]
The Surrey–Newton–Guildford Line is expected to be in service by 2024 while the Surrey–Langley Line on the Fraser Highway would be completed at a later date.[5][6] A report outlining the economic benefits of the project was produced by a consulting firm in May 2015.[7]
In 2017, the federal government budget included funding contributions to this project.[8] Prior to the provincial election in 2017, the BC Liberals confirmed they would match the federal contribution if they were re-elected.[9]
On March 16, 2018, the provincial government approved the construction of this project. Construction is slated to begin in 2019 and is expected to be completed by 2024.[2] The LRT line will run from Guildford through Surrey Central and terminate in Newton with 11 new stops.
Phase 1 of the Surrey LRT is the Surrey–Newton–Guildford Line which will replace existing 96 B-Line express bus service once completed and will connect Surrey City Centre with Newton Town Centre via King George Boulevard and Guildford Town Centre via 104 Avenue. Travel time from Newton Town Centre to Surrey Central will be 15 minutes, followed by 10 minutes from Surrey Central to Guildford Town Centre.[citation needed]
Proposed stops
152 Street Guildford Town Centre: serves the Guildford Mall and connects to the existing transit exchange
148 Street
144 Street
140 Street
City Parkway: connects to the SkyTrain at Surrey Central station, Simon Fraser University, the planned Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Central City Shopping Centre and Surrey City Hall
King George: connects to the SkyTrain at King George station and the King George Hub development complex
96 Avenue: serves Surrey Memorial Hospital, the wider hospital district and the Canada Revenue site
88 Avenue: serves Bear Creek Park and the Surrey Arts Centre
80 Avenue
76 Avenue
72 Avenue: serves Newton Town Centre, connecting to a new planned transit exchange and higher-density developments
Proposed expansion
Surrey–Langley Line
The Surrey–Langley Line is proposed as a future phase after the completion of the Surrey–Newton–Guildford Line.
The line will travel on the Fraser Highway and will connect Surrey City Centre, Fleetwood Town Centre and Langley. Travel time will be 24.5 minutes.[citation needed]
Reaction
The Surrey LRT project has been criticized by some local residents, and an advocacy group, who have raised concerns suggesting a lack of travel time improvement, large annual operating deficits, vulnerability to accidents and a lower comparative business case benefits documented in the dated 2012 TransLink joint analysis.[12][13][14]
Kevin Desmond, CEO of TransLink, has indicated that SkyTrain along the second phase of the project (Fraser Highway Line) is also a possibility instead of LRT; however, the Mayor of Surrey claimed that a SkyTrain solution along Fraser Highway would cost $950 million more than LRT.[15][16]
In July 2018, a poll sponsored by municipal party Safe Surrey Coalition, headed by Doug McCallum— the mayor-elect of the 2018 Surrey municipal election who is campaigning against LRT—indicated 85% of Surrey residents were opposed to the LRT project.[17]
^"Light Rail Transit". City of Surrey. 2015. Archived from the original on June 18, 2015. Retrieved June 15, 2015. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
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Amy Reid (September 14, 2018). "ELECTION QUESTIONS: What would happen if Surrey LRT was scrapped?". Surrey Now Leader. Retrieved September 17, 2018. As political debate rages on about whether light rail transit or SkyTrain should be built in this city, an urban studies expert warns of what could happen if the Surrey light rail project is halted.{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
