The Metro Vancouver Mayors’ Council and Translink’s board of directors today gave the green light to what will be the largest transportation investment in Metro Vancouver history.
Members voted Thursday, June 28 to approve a $7.3 billion investment plan to fund a SkyTrain extension down the Broadway Corridor and light rail transit (LRT) in Surrey, among other projects.
To help fund the plan, council also agreed to raise Metro Vancouver's gasoline tax 1.5 cents to 18.5 cents per litre by next spring. According to the Mayors' Council, this will result in an annual expense of $22 for the average household.
The majority of the plan's multi-billion-dollar budget will be put toward the two projects noted above: a 5.7-kilometre Millennium Line Broadway Extension and a 10.5-kilometre LRT project that will connect three of Surrey’s town centres.
The plan is the second phase of the Mayors' Council's and Translink's 10-year vision for regional transportation. It includes significant upgrades to the Millennium and Expo lines and upgrades to road, bus and regional transportation networks.
