King George SkyTrain Station Closure
King George SkyTrain station (closed for maintenance and infrastructure upgrades on April 27, 2024) has reopened on Sunday, June 9.
The station was closed for approximately six weeks to complete station infrastructure upgrades and maintenance works. The upgrades included the replacement of two turnouts that required the dismantling and replacement of SkyTrain tracks. During this time, trains could not access King George station.
Services restored
SkyTrain and bus services, including HandyDART, at King George station are now back to regular operational schedule.
Car-share and shuttle services
EVO and Modo car share services has returned to the passenger pick-up/drop-off zone.
Regular infrastructure maintenance is essential to ensure a safe, reliable, and modern transit system. We thank you for your patience and cooperation while we carried out these essential works.
Commercial-Broadway Escalator Replacement Project
Estimated Timeline: Dec. 2023 to Fall 2025
Overview: TransLink is working to replace four aging escalators at Commercial–Broadway SkyTrain Station to ensure safe and reliable transit operations for years to come. These escalators were installed at the start of the Millennium Line service in 2002 and are reaching the end of their service life.
Work on the two escalators serving Millennium Line’s Commercial platform began Dec. 2023. These new and improved escalators will open to customers Sept. 27, 2024. On the same day, the two nearby escalators serving Expo Line platforms 3 and 4 (near Booster Juice) will close for replacement. The accompanying stairs will also close to ensure the safety of the public and crews throughout construction. The elevator will remain open for those who need it.
What you need to know:
As part of the replacement works, two faregates at the East Broadway Ave entrance have been removed from service until the end of the replacement project. There are additional faregates nearby to provide uninterrupted station access.
Know before you go: For up to date service information, please visit our Alerts page.
Burrard Escalator Replacement Project
The last of the five original escalators at Burrard SkyTrain station has been replaced and reopened for service on May 31, 2024, ensuring safe and reliable operations for years to come. The escalators have been in operation for more than 35 years, making them some of the oldest escalators on Expo Line. Since then, Expo Line traffic has increased exponentially.
The work to replace the escalators on began in Oct. 2022, and all five escalators have now been replaced with modern, transit-grade escalators that are much more durable and feature:
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smoother operation and braking for passenger safety,
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LED step lighting for better visibility in dimly lit areas,
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a variable speed option for power savings, and
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improved accessibility for maintenance, to minimize down time and keep passengers moving.
Replacement aging escalators is critical to ensure growing passenger volumes are supported today and well into the future.
Oakridge Transit Station and Plaza Upgrades
To prepare for the future Oakridge Park redevelopment, TransLink, Westbank Corp, QuadReal and the City of Vancouver are upgrading Oakridge–41st Avenue Station on the Canada Line. These improvements will begin in September 2024 and are expected to last approximately one year.
Once the project is completed, Oakridge–41st Avenue Station will include:
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Two new escalators to improve customer accessibility at the station.
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A new street-level station entrance canopy for better weather protection.
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Direct underground mall access from the station for more efficient travel.
Over 7,000 customers use Oakridge–41st Avenue Station daily — that number is expected to grow as density in the area increases. This underscores the need for more longer-term investments in transit and its infrastructure to alleviate potential overcrowding across the region. The 10-Year Access for Everyone Plan is still unfunded and needs approval to address TransLink’s structural funding gap and significantly expand transit in Metro Vancouver.
Construction Impacts
Customers may experience temporary changes to station access and slight delays due to construction. Signage will be in place to minimize any disruptions. Intermittent elevator closures will also occur during the project; customers are encouraged to check Transit Alerts for updates. This work will take place near the ongoing construction of the new Oakridge Park redevelopment.
Expo Line Rail and Rail Pad Replacement
We're replacing aging SkyTrain tracks on Expo Line, including rail and rail pads, to help ensure a smoother and
quieter ride for our customers. Much of this track is more than 30 years old and has carried more than 2 million
trains since 1986.
We're replacing rail and rail pads throughout our system one segment at a time to prevent future need for fixes
that can cause unexpected disruption to neighbours and customers.
Columbia to Scott Road Station (SkyBridge)
Estimated Timeline: Oct. to Dec. 2023
Overview: We’re replacing 2700 rail pads on the SkyBridge between Columbia and Scott Road stations.
Know before you go! This work will require single tracking starting 9:30 p.m. Sunday to Thursday. Expo Line trains heading to Waterfront Station will serve both platforms at Columbia and New Westminster stations after this time. If journeying through one of these stations, be sure to check digital screens at the station entrances and on the platform before boarding a train. Trains to King George and Production Way-University stations will continue to operate from their regular platforms during these service patten changes. Customers travelling through the New Westminster area are advised to allow an extra 10 minutes of travel time. For up-to-date information visit our Alerts page.
Commercial–Broadway to Nanaimo Station
Estimated Timeline: December 2021 through summer/fall 2023
Overview: We’re replacing the portion of track between Commercial–Broadway and
Nanaimo stations, including 7,300 metres of rail and over 10,400 rail pads.
Know before you go! This work will require single tracking and changes to regular operating
patterns. For up-to-date information visit our Alerts page.
Completed Projects
Waterfront to Stadium-Chinatown Station
From December 2018 to spring 2019, we replaced 4,900 metres of rail and 8,400 rail pads on the tracks between
Waterfront and Stadium–Chinatown stations, including inside Dunsmuir Tunnel which had one of the worst
sections of rail pad
corrosion across our system.
Stadium-Chinatown to Main Street-Science World
Between spring 2019 and spring 2020, we replaced about 1,800 metres of rail and 4,000 rail pads between
Stadium-Chinatown and Main Street-Science World stations.
22nd Street to New Westminster Station
Between December 2019 and March 2021, we replaced the portion of track between 22nd Street and New
Westminster Stations, including 9,800 metres of running rail and 17,000 rail pads.
Main Street–Science World to Commercial–Broadway Station
Between March 2021 through the end of 2022, we replaced the portion of track between Main Street-Science World and Commercial–Broadway stations, including 6,700 metres of rail and 14,100 rail pads.
SkyTrain Roof Replacement Project
As part of the TransLink Maintenance and Upgrade Program, we’re continuing to partially and fully replace
the roofs at several SkyTrain stations and other buildings on the system to protect customers and SkyTrain
facilities. Many of the buildings along our SkyTrain network are aging and require ongoing maintenance. This
work will help ensure that we continue to meet the needs of our customers now and in the future.
Brentwood Town Centre Station
Estimated Timeline: Aug. to Dec. 2024
Overview: Transit services and customer commutes will be unaffected during the full roof replacement at Brentwood Town Centre Station. Existing stores and restaurants will remain accessible at all sites of construction with minimal hoarding. The majority of TransLink’s annual roof replacement program upgrades take place during the day with the possibility of some overnight work, as required.
Gateway Station
Estimated Timeline: Sept. to Dec. 2024
Overview: As part of TransLink’s annual roof replacement program, we’re working to partially replace the roof at Gateway Station. As with other roof replacement work, the majority of the upgrades will take place during the day with the possibility of some overnight work, as required.
SkyTrain Customer Communications Upgrades
TransLink’s SkyTrain Customer Communications Upgrades Project is now complete, improving customers’
in-station experience by providing relevant, timely, and clear transit service information. We know that
customers expect to see and hear important information when they need it most. The completion of this project
delivers on our commitment to upgrade our in-station systems to provide real-time information across the transit
system, as part of our Customer
Experience Action Plan.
Across Expo and Millennium Line, we’ve installed:
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Approximately 280 new information displays, including ‘next train’ signs and
general information screens on SkyTrain platforms, and new information screens at station entrances.
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More than 1,400 new speakers to replace end-of-life units and expand to new areas of the
station. We’ve also upgraded some of the more recently installed speakers along Expo Line.
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More than 1,200 CCTV cameras in stations, replacing aging units and adding more to
improve coverage.
New, real-time information throughout the station make it easier for customers to make decisions about their
transit trip by keeping them informed of up-to-the-minute service information, including system-wide alerts.
The improved quality of in-station announcements make it easier for customers to get relevant service
information, particularly during service disruptions. Better CCTV systems improve the safety of customers and
employees within the station and are a valuable resource for Transit Police investigations.
Funding
This $79 million program is part of a larger $92.4 million Rapid Transit Systems Rehabilitation
and Maintenance Project paid for under the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund (PTIF), which is funded by the
Government of Canada (50 per cent), the Government of British Columbia (33%), and TransLink (17%).
Did you know?
TransLink has installed more than 50 digital touch screen kiosks throughout the transit system as part of the Digital Customer Kiosk Program, a separate project
in partnership with Lamar Advertising Company.
These kiosks provide customers the ability to plan their journeys on-site with all transit modes, using real-time
transit information. This is another way TransLink has made taking transit an easier, more attractive option for
the region.
View the
full Digital Touch Screen Kiosks map
SkyTrain Noise Study
In response to noise concerns from residents along the Expo and Millennium lines, TransLink conducted a
multi-step SkyTrain Noise Study in 2018.
The study recommended that we investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of six noise mitigation measures.
These investigations were divided into two phases. Both phases have now been completed. You can find more
details in the summary report and technical report.
This work is more important now than ever before as Metro Vancouver continues to grow and more people choose to
live near rapid transit lines. The results of the study will help us identify noise-reduction measures for our
system and inform future designs and investments.
Progress
The 2018 assessment report is complete. We have also completed a two-phased study to investigate all the
mitigation measures outlined in the initial assessment report.
Learn more in the reports below:
Next Steps
Some noise mitigation measures are already being implemented.
We are implementing harder rail with 3km of track that will be replaced annually under the program. The
benefits of the harder rail are that corrugation doesn't develop as quickly, meaning noise mitigation is
more manageable.
The installation of rail dampers has been approved and funded, and install will begin in Spring of 2022. Rail
dampers will be installed on 3.2km on the Expo Line. More information on why this section was chosen can be
found in the Phase Two report.
TransLink will assess and work to get approval and funding for the other measures outlined in the report.
In most locations, you will not hear a sudden reduction in noise. These noise mitigation measures aim to make
train noise levels more stable and consistent, so that there are no longer times when the noise level is
noticeably worse than others.
SkyTrain Station Upgrades
Brentwood Town Centre Station
Construction Information
Upgrades to the Brentwood Town Centre station began in June 2022 and expected to be completed by fall 2024. Starting Aug. 19, station elevators at Brentwood Town Centre Skytrain station from the street level on Lougheed Highway to the concourse level will be closed temporarily as part of the ongoing station upgrades.
Customers can access the station via the escalator, stairs, and elevators at the Amazing Brentwood Mall, close to the north station entrance. Directional signage is in place to assist customers.
SkyTrain and bus services will be maintained at Brentwood Town Centre Station throughout the construction period, although some bus stops may be temporarily relocated.
Temporary Bus Stop Relocations
As of June 2022, buses located along Lougheed Highway have been temporarily relocated as follows:
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Bay 4 serving route 123, and Bay 5 serving routes 25 and the N9 were relocated from Lougheed Highway just east of Willingdon (in front of the Carter car dealership) to Lougheed Highway west of Willingdon, between Willingdon and Rosser Avenue (near the Shoppers Drug Mart and Whole Foods).
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Buses using Bay 3 on Lougheed Highway were not impacted and we expect they will remain unaffected throughout construction (this stop is east of Alpha Avenue).
View the temporary
bus stop relocations for Brentwood Town Centre Station.
Customers should plan for approximately 10 extra minutes of travel time if transferring to or from
the bus.
Road impacts
To enable excavation and expansion work of Brentwood Town Centre Station over Lougheed Highway, the contractor must temporarily occupy some of the traffic lanes on Lougheed Highway between Alpha Avenue and Willingdon Avenue.
For the safety of road users and the workers, the temporary lane closures are necessary. We thank our customers and the public for your patience during the construction.
About the Project
As part of TransLink’s Maintenance and Upgrade Program, Brentwood Town Centre Station is undergoing substantial upgrades to improve accessibility for all customers, upgrade the amenities, and provide a better customer experience by allowing more customers to move comfortably throughout the station.
In 2019 (pre-COVID), the station served close to 1.8 million passengers. With the ongoing development in the Brentwood area, the upgrades will ensure we continue to provide efficient, reliable service to our customers well into the future.
The upgrades to Brentwood Town Centre Station are included in TransLink’s Phase One Investment Plan and are funded by TransLink and the Government of Canada through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.
Project Overview
The upgrades include:
- Enhancing access into and within the station with a new elevator from the ground level to the mezzanine level on the south side of Lougheed Highway;
- Replacing the existing staircases with new glass enclosed staircase to provide better protection and comfort for customers as well as a more pleasing aesthetic look.
- Two new escalators from the mezzanine to platform level and an expanded mezzanine level (by approximately 560 square metres) to allow customers to move comfortably through the station;
- Doubling the fare gates on the mezzanine level from three to six to improve customer access;
- Station technology and safety enhancements such as lighting upgrades, refurbishing station finishes, additional real-time passenger information displays, and CCTV camera and PA system expansion to cover the footprint of the larger station; and
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A new public art piece featuring glass artwork on the mezzanine level.
Questions?
If you have any questions about the project, please email publicengagement@translink.ca.
Burrard Station
About the Project
As part of the TransLink Maintenance and Upgrade Program, we had planned several upgrades to Burrard SkyTrain
Station. Due to high construction bid prices during the procurement process, we paused those upgrades. Since
then, we’ve reassessed what needs to be done in the near term to continue to
effectively serve our customers.
We will be upgrading the five escalators at Burrard Station to improve the customer experience and maintain a
state of good repair. The escalators have been in service for more than 35 years, and since their
installation, Expo Line usage has dramatically increased. These upgrades will ensure we can keep our
customers moving reliably for years to come.
Next steps
Additional previously
planned upgrades at Burrard Station are on pause and will be considered for implementation in
the coming years.
Questions?
If you have any questions about the project, please email burrardstationupgrade@translink.ca.
