Sites are now being cleared to make way for the Broadway Subway Project, which will transform how people get around in one of the busiest areas of Vancouver.

“The Government of Canada is making historic investments in infrastructure projects that create jobs in the short term, create growth in the long term and tackle climate change,” said the Honourable Catherine McKenna, federal Minister of Infrastructure and Communities. “The Broadway Subway Project will introduce a new transportation option along one of Vancouver’s busiest corridors, helping reduce traffic congestion and air pollution, while keeping pace with the city’s growing ridership. Canada’s infrastructure plan invests in thousands of projects, creates jobs across the country and builds cleaner, more inclusive communities.”

Rob Fleming, B.C.’s Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, said, “When completed, the Broadway Subway will transform how people get around in Vancouver. It will mean faster travel to work and school, better access to local business and fewer cars on the road. I’m pleased to see site preparations get underway on this critical project – a key infrastructure investment as we work to restore the economy and invest in a low-carbon future through BC’s Restart Plan.”

Some building demolition is necessary to construct six new station entrances and create laydown areas that will be used as work staging and storage. This will help keep construction activity off Broadway and adjacent streets as much as possible, mitigating disruption and managing safety for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists.

The first buildings slated for removal are on the 100 block of East Broadway and 2500 block of Main Street for the future Mount Pleasant Station. This work will have minimal impact on traffic and transit service. However, street parking will be limited during work. All demolition work is anticipated to be completed by the end of April, in preparation for the start of station construction.

The project’s design-build contractor, Broadway Subway Project Corporation, began working on site in fall 2020, with a focus on surveying and removing hazardous materials from buildings. Other preliminary work underway includes relocating utilities and conducting geotechnical investigations. The contractor is also working to finalize designs for the new stations, which will be presented at a public open house in the spring.

Major works will start this spring. Upcoming construction activities will include the tunnel portal and elevated guideway near Great Northern Way, with tunnelling to begin in 2022. More detailed information on construction methods and timing will be provided in advance of these activities.

The Broadway Subway Project Corporation is committed to safety and COVID-19 protocols while undertaking construction activities and is following the latest guidance from the provincial health officer and WorkSafeBC.

When completed in 2025, the Broadway Subway will provide fast and frequent SkyTrain service to B.C.’s second-largest jobs centre, health-care services, an emerging innovation and research hub, and growing residential communities.

The Broadway Subway Project budget is $2.83 billion, funded and delivered by the Government of B.C., with contributions from the Government of Canada and the City of Vancouver.

Quotes:

Kennedy Stewart, mayor, City of Vancouver –

“The Broadway Subway will be transformational – not just for the City of Vancouver, but for the entire region and the province as a whole. As Metro Vancouver's second-largest employment centre, the Broadway corridor helps generate $14 billion in gross domestic product that will power our economy for decades to come. This project will not only move people, but also ideas, innovation and investment. The Broadway Subway will move us all forward."

Kevin Desmond, CEO, TransLink –

“As the Broadway Subway Project nears construction, it’s exciting that this important project has taken another vital step forward. The Broadway corridor is one of the busiest in Metro Vancouver, and this project will transform the region’s transportation network by helping to reduce congestion and greenhouse gas emissions, while also improving customer travel times.”

Quick Facts:

• The Broadway Subway is a 5.7-kilometre extension of the Millennium Line from VCC-Clark Station to Broadway and Arbutus in Vancouver.
• Six new underground stations will connect communities and neighbourhoods, making it easier and more affordable to live, work, shop and access services along Broadway.

Learn More:

The latest construction updates and opportunity to sign up for email updates are available online at: www.broadwaysubway.ca

Job opportunities for the Broadway Subway Project: https://bcib.ca/