NEW WESTMINSTER, BC – Beginning November 16, a portion of the new centre stationhouse will open and the overhead pedestrian walkway at Metrotown Station connecting the station to the mall and bus loop will permanently close to allow demolition to begin on the existing east entrance. Customers will exit the SkyTrain platform via new stairs in the centre stationhouse and continue to the bus loop, mall, office towers and surrounding businesses along Central Boulevard.  

• Customers should plan for an additional five to 10 minutes of travel time to connect to their destination.
• The future bus lane will be used for passengers to travel east or west along the south side of Central Boulevard. Concrete barricades will be installed to separate pedestrians from traffic on Central Boulevard.
• Additional staff will be on hand to help direct customers. 
• Compass Vending Machines and card readers will be located just outside the station. Customers are reminded to tap in and tap out to ensure they pay the correct fare.
• Please note that there will be no escalator access into the station, only stairs. The HandyDART and Community Shuttles will continue to run until the new elevators open in spring 2017.

The partial opening of the centre stationhouse gives construction crews the space they need to work on the east stationhouse and continue working to get the entire station open as soon as possible.

Upgrades are underway at Metrotown Station to improve accessibility, capacity, safety and security at one of the busiest stations in the SkyTrain system. When fully complete, the upgraded station will include:

• Rebuilt east stationhouse and addition of new centre and west stationhouses
• New stairs and escalators
• Replacement of the original elevator with three new elevators accessible via a new central entry
• An upgraded bus exchange on Central Boulevard
• New secure parking area for bicycles

Quotes:

Sany Zein, Acting Vice President, Infrastructure Management and Engineering, TransLink

“As one of our busiest stations on the system, these improvements ensure our transit network can accommodate both existing ridership and continual growth in the region. We thank our passengers for their patience as our crews continue work to give our customers a facility that is more accessible, safe, and secure.”

Graeme Silvera, Vice President, Development, Retail, Ivanhoe Cambridge

“Ivanhoe Cambridge is pleased to be collaborating with TransLink and the City of Burnaby on this important project that will benefit the entire community. We have been working together with TransLink to ensure that customers and shoppers continue to have safe access to Metropolis at Metrotown and Metrotowers.” 

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Media contact:
C: 778-375-7788
E: media@translink.ca