TransLink asks public to weigh in on proposed Surrey to Langley SkyTrain extension
Credit to Author: Susan Lazaruk| Date: Fri, 01 Nov 2019 22:20:12 +0000
TransLink is again nviting the public to respond to its plans to extend SkyTrain to Langley and rapid transit on King George Highway and on 104 Avenue by attending an open house or taking an online survey in the next 2½ weeks.
During the last round of “public engagement” on the project in the spring, TransLink said there was an unprecedented response, with more than 21,000 people commenting, and people then said they were looking for more details.
“We saw that there was a desire for a lot more specific project information,” said transit planner Jeff Busby, TransLink’s project director for the expansion. “We encourage people to provide some feedback to help shape the project.”
The $3.12 billion project would extend the Expo Line 16.5 kms from the King George station in Surrey along Fraser Highway to Langley City Centre, which includes eight stations, at 140, 152, 160, 166, 184, 190, 196 and 203 streets. The line would go through Fleetwood and Cloverdale/Clayton.
Even though the top three “values” that survey respondents identified in the first round of public input are obvious — predictable and faster transit travel time, efficient use of public money and comfortable, safe transit — Busby said he always learns something from the public during these sessions.
In this round, TransLink will provide information about “how will SkyTrain come down Fraser Highway and what it will mean for their neighbourhoods,” he said.
The survey will be available online until Nov. 17 and the the five open houses will be held Nov. 7 at Langley City Hall, Nov. 12 at Hope Community Church in Surrey, Nov. 13 at the Surrey Sport and Leisure Complex, a Nov. 14 at Kwantlen college in Surrey and Nov. 16 at Central City Shopping Centre in Surrey, TransLink announced on Friday.
TransLink said in a release the new details include information about where the SkyTrain will be constructed based on minimizing impacts to environmentally sensitive areas, property, traffic and constructions, and on minimizing costs and the number of times the line would cross Fraser Highway.
TransLink is looking for feedback on access to the SkyTrain and integration to other modes of transportation, including walking, cycling and driving, the environmental review and rapid transit on 104 Avenue and on King George Boulevard, it said.
The environmental review will consider how the extension might affect air quality and greenhouse gases, agricultural land, archaeology and heritage, contaminated sites, emergency services, fisheries and aquatics, land use, noise and vibration and vegetation and wildlife.
TransLink is planning a third round of public engagement next year, to focus on how construction will affect neighbourhoods and to reveal the results of the environmental review, said Busby.
Construction, which still requires government approval for the complete project, is expected to begin in 2022, with the trains to run by late 2025.