Infrastructure Upgrade projects
We are adding longer trains to the SkyTrain fleet and getting ready for more customers on the network once the province-built Broadway Subway Project (Millennium Line Extension) and the Surrey Langley SkyTrain (Expo Line Extension) are in service. This calls for some major infrastructure upgrades to stations and platforms as well as propulsion power, automatic train controls, and communication systems across the SkyTrain network. Here are the planned changes:
Station Access and Safety
SkyTrain station infrastructure will undergo updates needed to accommodate longer trains and more passengers. These include:
adding gap fillers between trains and station platforms to improve accessibility for customers with wheelchairs and mobility devices,
relocating staff walkways along the tracks,
relocating emergency exit stairs and increasing capacity,
relocating track intrusion monitoring system hardware, and
adding guideway signage for manual train operations.
All Expo and Millennium Line stations will receive one or more of these upgrades as needed and will be managed in priority sequence, with construction expected to be completed by 2026. Most of this work will not impact transit service or access; however, some interruptions and intermittent nighttime/ weekend work can be expected.
Project Status
Waterfront Station
spring 2023 - fall 2023
Work will include relocation of existing guideway walkways at the east and north sides of the platform, some demolition, and the replacement of a window. While total construction time is expected to be about six weeks, work blocks will be intermittent, spread out over four to five months.
Work will be primarily overnight, and construction noise related to drilling, cutting, hammering, and the moving of equipment can be expected.
22nd Street Station
spring 2023 - early 2024
Work will include the installation of an additional emergency exit staircase on the north side of the station, and the relocation of existing guideway walkways at the east and north sides of the platform. Most work will take place during the day between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., however, intermittent nighttime work will be required from spring through summer.
Customers and neighbours may see or hear work related to excavation, steel fabrication and erection, concrete pouring, and moving of equipment can be expected.
Edmonds Station
spring 2023 - summer 2023
Work will include modifications of the guideway walkways and modifications to the track intrusion monitoring system. Work will take place primarily overnight from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. with some occasional work on weekends.
Royal Oak Station
Phase one: spring 2023 - summer 2024
Phase two: fall 2023 - spring 2024
Work will include the replacement of the emergency exit staircase on the east side of the station and, modifications to the track intrusion monitoring system. Work will take place primarily overnight from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. with some occasional work on weekends.
Construction noise related to excavation, steel fabrication and erection, concrete pouring, and moving of equipment can be expected.
Gateway Station
fall 2023 - winter 2024
We are upgrading the emergency exit stairwell at Gateway Station to accommodate more customers, in line with anticipated growth in ridership over the coming years. We will build a set of scaffolding stairs from the ground level up to the middle of the platform.
Construction activities involve penetration through the platform, and demolition of the existing stairs prior to excavation and erection of the stairs. The work is noisy, and will done mainly during the night, although some activities may be scheduled during the day.
Other Initiatives
Operations Control Centre
TransLink is building a new, modern, and expanded control centre for the SkyTrain network with a larger data centre and automatic train control facilities. The new building replaces the current one-room control centre, making more space for equipment and staff to manage an expanded SkyTrain network that will have more trains in service.
The new control centre is being built near the existing maintenance facilities close to Edmonds station and is expected to be ready for use by 2026, in time for the start of service on the Broadway Subway extension. The control centre will also manage trains on the Surrey-Langley SkyTrain extension once it is ready.
Project status
Construction is in progress and expected to be completed in 2026.
Propulsion Power Upgrades
Currently, SkyTrain has a network of propulsion power substations to supply electrical power to run trains on the SkyTrain lines. However, as we expand our fleet with longer trains and increase service levels, more substations are required to maintain a safe and reliable SkyTrain service.
The SkyTrain’s propulsion power network will be expanded and upgraded with the addition of new power substations along the Expo and Millennium Lines. New substation locations were selected based on a study that determined locations that can provide the most benefit to the SkyTrain network. The project began in Vancouver at VCC-Clark Station in June 2023, followed by substations in Burnaby at Sperling, with Moody Center substation starting in 2024.
What changes are coming
From 2023 to 2026, add eight propulsion power substations (three in Vancouver, two in Burnaby, one in Surrey, one in Coquitlam, and one in Port Moody)
From 2023 to 2024, replace or add transformer rectifier units at existing substations
During the substation construction, there are no changes to SkyTrain service levels or station access. There will be some construction noise during these days. We thank our customers and the community for your patience as we complete improvements to the SkyTrain network for a better, safer transit experience.
29th Avenue
Estimated timeline: February to November 2025A new propulsion power substation is being installed adjacent to the SkyTrain guideway between Nanaimo and 29th Avenue SkyTrain Stations on Vanness Avenue, west of Slocan Street and East of Penticton Street. The work will include constructing a building to house the substation, installing substation electrical equipment, resurfacing the sidewalk, and adding permeable pavement facility parking.
Construction work will take place during the day primarily and within the work window permitted by municipal bylaws. During the construction phase, there will be no changes to SkyTrain service levels or station access. Once the new substation goes into service, trains will be able to run more frequently.
Port Moody
Estimated timeline: August 2024 to May 2025The new propulsion power substation at Port Moody will be located adjacent to the SkyTrain line on the north side of Clarke St just west of Moody Street overpass. The work will include construction of a building to house the substation, installation of the substation electrical equipment, connection to BC Hydro’s network, and hard and soft landscaping.
Construction work will be done during the day primarily, and within the work window permitted by Municipal Bylaws. During the construction phase, there will be no changes to SkyTrain service levels or station access. Once the new substation goes into service, trains will be able to run more frequently.
Project status
Construction is in progress and will be completed by 2026.
Communications Systems
The existing telecommunication and radio systems that facilitate voice and data communication between Control Operators, trains, and customers have reached the end of their service life and require upgrades to support an expanded SkyTrain network and remain in a state of good repair. Work is underway to replace and modernize communications systems including passenger calls to customer service and in-train service announcements.
The technology systems that facilitate communications between the control centre, platforms and trains use fibre optic cabling. The existing cabling on the SkyTrain rails will be removed and replaced to improve data communications on an expanded network.
Project status
Upgrades are in progress and expected to be completed by 2028.