The cost of the 16-kilometre near Vancouver has been pegged at $6 billion with three major contracts now awarded by the provincial government and major construction set to launch.
Guideway, stations and systems and trackwork contractors are now in place with many of Canada’s largest contractors and engineering firms including Pomerleau, Aecon, AtkinsRealis and Ledcor all getting a piece of the action.
Eight stations, 14 kilometres of trails
The rail line will run from King George Station in Surrey to downtown Langley. The contracts include the design and construction of eight stations, three transit exchanges, nine power propulsion stations and 250 metres of guideway at the terminus station at 203 Street in Langley City.
Early versions of the project called for the line to be built in one stage but the province has since determined it would be constructed in two stages with an anticipated in-service date of late 2029.
In response to interview requests, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure asked for written questions and supplied responses through senior public affairs officer Brennan Clarke.
The are:
- SkyLink Guideway Partners will design, build and finance the elevated guideway and associated roadworks, utilities and active transportation elements. The team is comprised of Dragados Canada, Ledcor Investments and Ledcor Mining.
- South Fraser Station Partners will build the eight new stations. Its members are Aecon Constructors, Acciona Infrastructure Canada and Pomerleau BC.
- Transit Integrators BC will design and build the systems and trackwork. Members are AtkinsRealis Major Projects, AtkinsRealis Canada and Western Pacific Enterprises Ltd.
A different procurement model will be used for each contract – the guideway will be design-build-finance, the stations is design-build, and systems and trackwork is target price.
As for a rationale, Clarke’s team responded, “This approach was used to increase competition and enable a broader range of companies to bid on different elements of the project.”
The bidding process was “competitive” and attracted high-profile teams from both domestic and international markets, the ministry stated.
Pomerleau CEO Philippe Adam said in a statement, “This project underscores our dedication to creating lasting infrastructure that connects our communities and strengthens the B.C. economy.”
Aecon holds a 33.3-per-cent interest in the stations contract. An Aug. 15 statement noted Aecon’s share of the $928-million deal was added to the firm’s construction segment backlog in the second quarter of 2024.
The ministry stated the province was proactive in addressing project risks, including implementing a significant package of advance works before the start of major construction to provide construction contractors with greater certainty about site conditions, including utility relocations, road widening and property acquisitions.
A release from the province stated, “The cost of the project, now $5.996 billion, has been updated in response to market conditions, including rising inflation costs and key commodity escalation, supply-chain pressures and labour-market challenges. This has resulted in higher price proposals from contractors.”
Early works along the new SkyTrain alignment have included BC Hydro work to relocate utility lines along the Fraser Highway, pre-construction site surveys, utilities locates, geotechnical investigations and design work. Site preparation and demolitions at future station sites have already started.
The SkyTrain will extend the existing Expo Line along the Fraser Highway to Langley City Centre. The alignment was designed to run primarily within the right of way of the road to minimize impacts on the surrounding community.
The project includes 14 kilometres of two-way bike paths or multi-use pathways along the SkyTrain guideway, connecting into regional active transportation networks and the new stations.
Travel time 22 minutes
A formal design advisory process is currently underway involving engagement with the public and municipalities to finalize station designs.
All eight stations are designated as transit-oriented development areas. Information packages prepared for a June open house stated station designs will maximize glazed areas to provide abundant natural light into the stations and use sustainable materials where appropriate, such as cross-laminated timber and nail-laminated timber for platform roofs and entrance canopies.
The eight stations are the Green Timbers, Hillcrest/184 Street, 152 Street, Clayton, Fleetwood, Willowbrook, Bakerview/166 Street, and Langley City Centre. It’s estimated the commute from Langley City Centre to King George Station will be 22 minutes.
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