Contract awarded to design, build Broadway Subway project in Vancouver

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — The province announced Thursday construction of the Broadway subway line is still on track and will begin in the fall, with service starting in 2025.

The contract was awarded to the Broadway Subway Project Corporation, an Acciona-Ghella joint venture to design, construct and partially finance the project, valued at $1.728 billion.

“As we restore the economy through BC’s Restart Plan, major infrastructure projects like the Broadway Subway line will be key to our recovery,” says Premier John Horgan.

“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.”

The Broadway Subway is a 5.7-kilometre extension of the Millennium Line, from VCC-Clark Station to Broadway and Arbutus in Vancouver, with six new underground stations.

Great news for people who live or work in Vancouver! One step closer to faster, more convenient travel as our government awards a contract to deliver the Broadway Subway project.https://t.co/1pOvmK5j2S pic.twitter.com/OlfYum9HFM

— John Horgan (@jjhorgan) September 3, 2020

The commute from VCC-Clark to Arbutus Station is expected to take 11 minutes, saving the average transit commuter about 30 minutes a day and relieving traffic congestion along Broadway.

“Public transit allows Canadians to get where they need to go in affordable and environmentally friendly ways,” says MP Joyce Murray (Vancouver Quadra). “It’s great to see another important step reached in building the Broadway Subway, which will introduce a convenient new green transportation option along one of the city’s busiest corridors. Canada’s infrastructure plan invests in thousands of projects, creates jobs across the country, and builds stronger communities.”

Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart said the Broadway corridor is the second-largest employment centre in B.C., with more than 85,000 jobs. However, he added, growing traffic congestion and transit overcrowding are impacting economic growth and the quality of life for our residents.

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“With construction starting soon, we are closer to making an amazing street even better. This project will better the lives of families and workers, and further connect an essential hub to the rest of the region,” he said.

“The Broadway Subway is being constructed along the busiest bus corridor in our region, which was also home to the most used bus route in Canada and the United States last year,” says Kevin Desmond, CEO of TransLink.

“This important project will transform the region’s transportation network, reduce congestion and improve travel times for our customers.”

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.

The Broadway Subway project is also part of the rapid transit program in Metro Vancouver’s Mayors’ Council 10-Year Vision. The vision is funded by the governments of B.C. and Canada, TransLink and local municipalities.

The Transportation Investment Corporation is leading the delivery of the Broadway Subway Project and will provide the controls, practices and other oversight.