Canadian and Design Construction writer
Construction is underway at all eight stations along the Surrey Langley SkyTrain extension, marking a major milestone for the transit project that will connect communities south of the Fraser River with the rest of Metro Vancouver in B.C.
The project will extend the Expo Line 16 kilometres from King George Station in Surrey to Langley City Centre.
Major construction is being carried out by SkyLink Guideway Partners, a consortium that includes Pomerleau, FlatironDragados Canada and Aecon. Station construction is being handled by the Aecon-led South Fraser Station Partners consortium.
“Everyone needs to get to school, work or appointments, and all the better if commutes go quickly with a minimum of stress,” Premier David Eby said in a statement. “This new extension links the growing region south of the Fraser with the rest of Metro Vancouver, making commuting faster and easier, while relieving traffic congestion.
“With all eight new SkyTrain stations now under construction, we are closer to riders moving from Langley City Centre to downtown Vancouver in a little over an hour.”
The project is also expected to support transit-oriented development around the eight stations, creating opportunities for additional housing, employment and community services, including health care and child care facilities. Plans also include 14 kilometres of new multi-use pathways connected to regional active transportation networks.
“The Surrey-Langley SkyTrain extension is about more than just moving people – it’s about building stronger, more-connected communities,” said B.C. Transportation and Transit Minister Mike Farnworth. “This project will reduce congestion, cut commute times and provide a reliable transportation for the region’s growing population.”
Foundation work has already been completed at six stations, while work continues at 152 Street Station and has begun at Willowbrook Station. Vertical construction is now visible at Fleetwood and Green Timbers stations, where above-ground station structures are taking shape.
Project officials said construction activity is advancing across multiple components of the extension.
Guideway foundation work is nearly 90 per cent complete, while about 75 per cent of guideway columns have been built. All four launching gantries are now operating to construct the elevated guideway, with more than five kilometres of guideway segments installed to date.
At the project’s precast concrete facility in South Surrey, approximately half of the required guideway segments have now been cast.
The underground duct bank system, which will house electrical infrastructure needed to power the SkyTrain extension, is more than 75 per cent complete, representing about 12 kilometres of work.
Track installation also began in late April, about 18 months after the start of major construction.
“As construction begins on Willowbrook Station, we’re moving closer to a transit system that better connects people, communities, and opportunities across the region,” said Randeep Sarai, federal Secretary of State for International Development and MP for Surrey Centre. “The Surrey–Langley SkyTrain extension will make it easier for residents to get where they need to go by reducing service gaps, shortening commute times and expanding public transportation across Metro Vancouver for years to come.”
