Vancouver, B.C. officials OK TransLink project funding

The Vancouver-area Mayors' Council on Regional Transportation and the province of British Columbia late last week agreed to provide CA$2.5 billion in regional funding for Translink's rail expansions.

To deliver projects in the second phase of Translink's 10-year infrastructure plan, the mayors and the province have proposed a 2 percent increase in transit fares over two years, beginning in 2020. They also proposed increasing parking fares and property taxes.

The second phase of Translink's CA$7.5 billion plan includes construction of the Surrey-Newton-Guildford light-rail project, as well as the Millennium SkyTrain Line's Broadway extension.

The 10-year vision also calls for significant upgrades to existing Expo-Millennium SkyTrain lines to boost capacity and improve customer service.

The plan's second phase is subject to federal and provincial funding. British Columbia and Canadian officials are finalizing approvals, with more details on a senior government agreement expected "in the near future," TransLink officials said.