Projected commute times to decrease by up to 30 minutes once Mayors’ Council 10-Year Vision is complete

VANCOUVER — Yesterday’s $4.1 billion, 10-year infrastructure agreement between the B.C. and federal governments was the final step in unlocking funds to modernize Metro Vancouver’s transportation system and ease traffic in the region.

With this agreement, federal, provincial and municipal funds are all in place to proceed with the $7-billion Phase 2 of the Mayors’ Council 10-Year Vision for Metro Vancouver Transit and Transportation.

“We congratulate the federal and provincial governments for coming to this infrastructure agreement that focuses so prominently on transit,” said Foundation science and policy director Ian Bruce. “This is critical to ensure we have livable, healthy communities for years to come. We applaud both governments and the Mayors’ Council for rightly identifying transit as a solution to our traffic congestion problems.”

As Metro Vancouver’s population continues to grow and densify, Phase 2 will help lessen road congestion and improve commute times.

“This investment combined with smart city design will help us reduce road congestion by up to 20 per cent and daily commute times by as much as 30 minutes,” said Foundation climate solutions policy analyst Tom Green. “If you live in Surrey and work in Vancouver, you’ll get to and from work faster, meaning more time with the people you love.”

Phase 2 of the 10-year plan includes:

  • Construction of the Surrey-Newton-Guildford Line of Surrey LRT
  • Construction of the Millennium Line Broadway SkyTrain Extension
  • More rail cars and station upgrades on the existing SkyTrain system
  • Additional expansion of bus service across the region
  • Additional expansion of HandyDART service
  • Continued improvements to roads and cycling and walking infrastructure

The Foundation has campaigned for better transit in Metro Vancouver for more than a decade, publishing a groundbreaking research paper in 2016, Breaking gridlock, on the lack of transit investment in B.C.

“These infrastructure improvements will give all people in Metro Vancouver options for faster, healthier ways to get around,” Bruce said. “With road transportation responsible for 25 per cent of B.C.’s carbon emissions, yesterday’s announcement is a victory for climate protection, moving us closer to truly sustainable transportation.”

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For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:

Brendan Glauser, David Suzuki Foundation, bglauser@davidsuzuki.org, 604-356-8829