Some of the province’s most significant transportation and critical infrastructure projects reached notable milestones this year. Others, still in progress, announced major budget overruns and construction delays.
North Shore wastewater treatment plant
Red flags were raised in March when the Metro 91原创 Regional District revealed that the North Shore wastewater treatment plant would cost $3.86 billion—a massive increased over the original $700 million price estimate when it was first approved in 2013.
At that time, the project was expected to be complete by 2020. It is now projected to be finished by 2030.
The District of North 91原创 council voted to request a public inquiry from the B.C. government regarding the handling of the project.
Planned to replace the existing Lions Gate wastewater treatment plant, once the project is completed, the plant will serve more than 300,000 residents in North and West 91原创 and will replace the existing Lions Gate wastewater treatment facility.
Iona Island wastewater treatment plant
In November, Metro 91原创 announced its selection of AECOM and Jacobs Consultancy Canada to provide preliminary engineering services on the region’s largest infrastructure project of all time: The $10-billion Iona Island wastewater treatment plant upgrade is planned to be in operation by 2035.
The Broadway Subway line
The province-led $2.8 billion Broadway Subway, which began construction in 2020, is now delayed by two years and is expected to begin operating in 2027.
The 5.7-kilometre, six-station extension of the Millennium line is currently on budget and reached an important milestone in April with the completion of its tunnel boring phase.
In September, the roof sections of the concourse level were installed at three of the stations.
The project’s first escalators have also been installed at the South Granville Station.
Surrey-Langley SkyTrain
Thirty years after Surrey’s last SkyTrain station, King George, opened in 1994, a project to extend the train line was formally approved in 2022 and was expected to begin in fall of 2024.
This new SkyTrain line, led by the province, will add eight new stations eastward and connect Langley’s city centre with Metro 91原创’s rapid transit network.
As of Dec. 2, project updates state groundwork and foundation construction will begin in five locations this month. It is expected to continue until spring 2026.
The project has already seen a significant 50-per-cent cost surge since last year, ballooning from a $3.94-billion budget last December to $6 billion in August. The opening has also been delayed a year to 2029.
Pattullo Bridge replacement
Another major project from the province that aims to ease congestion for commuters is the Pattullo Bridge replacement project, which aims to substitute the 87-year-old bridge connecting New Westminster and Surrey.
With a budget of $1.4 billion, the project will replace the outdated and narrow bridge for a new bridge with four wider lanes, a middle safety barrier and cyclist and pedestrian walkways.
The replacement of the infamous bridge was approved in 2018 and began construction in 2020.
The project is currently delayed by two years and is expected to open in the fall of 2025.
Other related bridge and road work are ongoing and will most likely continue into spring.
