Subway restaurant closing due to Vancouver’s Broadway subway construction

The owner of a Vancouver Subway sandwich shop says her store is closing this month because of the other subway being built along Broadway.

Surinder Sangha has owned the Subway location for 13 years, making sandwiches for tons of patrons on their way through transit. Sangha says she’s closing the Broadway Subway near Vancouver City Hall because of construction underneath her shop.

“Most people – sad here, because they know me, right? They feel sad for me…I feel a little sad, but I’m be strong, because life is life.”

Business has changed for shop owners in the Broadway Subway Project area. They dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic, and now machines are boring tunnels under the road.

Subway construction started nearly two years ago and fences now block some businesses from view, causing delivery and foot traffic challenges.

Neil Wyles with the Mount Pleasant Business Improvement Association says he hates to hear that another shop in his neighbourhood is getting shuttered.

“How many times will your customer be inconvenienced and can’t get to your location before they just give up? We’re seeing business drop anywhere from 35 to 60 per cent.”

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In a statement, The City of Vancouver says it’s working to get more parking for customers by improving loading zones and signage.

But the province ultimately manages the project, and a statement from the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure says steps are being taken to help the situation.

“We understand construction of the Broadway Subway Project is presenting added challenges for some businesses. To help minimize disruptions, the new line is being tunneled underground with temporary bridges called traffic decks installed in the station blocks to maintain access to businesses, health services and residences. This method results in far less above-ground disruption for businesses than the “cut-and-cover” approach used on the Canada Line.

We’ve always ensured that businesses on Broadway are accessible during construction by constructing temporary traffic decks, pedestrian walkways, and cycling detours. Once complete, the new line will make it easier for people to travel around Metro Vancouver by expanding fast, frequent and convenient Skytrain service.”

This support from the ministry isn’t enough for Sangha however, as she’ll still be closing her Subway’s doors at the end of January. She says her business slowed at first due to COVID-related complications, and fell roughly 75 per cent once the subway construction started.

Sangha says looking on to her next step is the best thing she can do at this point.

“I’m looking for another job. I’ve applied for other jobs.”