Political uncertainty creates transit uncertainty
Tight deadlines and political uncertainty could put a number of major transportation projects planned for the Lower Mainland in jeopardy.
On Thursday, members of TransLink’s board of directors and Mayors’ Council received a report detailing the regional transit authority’s priorities — all of which require funding commitments or action from the province by this fall.
However, following this month’s provincial election it is uncertain who will hold power in B.C.
“I’m certainly uneasy about it,” said Surrey Mayor Linda Hepner, vice-chair of the TransLink Mayors’ Council. “There’s a lot of upheaval and no certainty around the political landscape, so when there’s no certainty you can’t help but be uneasy.”
The most pressing matter is replacing the Pattullo Bridge, built in 1937.
Funding must be committed and secured by the third quarter of this year and the investment plan approved by October to keep it on track to be replaced by 2023. In 2014, it was estimated the new bridge would cost about $1 billion.
The previous Liberal government committed to one-third of the bridge’s capital costs, subject to review of costs and business case.
TransLink is hoping to apply for federal financing for the bridge through the Canadian Infrastructure Bank and National Trade Corridors Fund.
For the regional portion, it was proposed that tolls would be a major payment source. However, the NDP has said it wants to abolish tolls.
The mayors also want a firm provincial funding commitment for the second phase of their 10-year Vision for Metro Vancouver Transit and Transportation, which includes major projects such as the Broadway subway and Surrey light-rail line.
Provincial parties made different promises, from matching $2.2 billion in federal funding (Liberals) to funding 40 per cent of capital costs for the entire plan (NDP).
Questions of how TransLink will cover the regional portion of Phase 2 funding and the exact dollar figure have not yet been answered. TransLink wants to have senior and regional government funding confirmed by the end of October so the second phase can be approved during the first quarter of 2018.
Some Phase 1 projects could also be delayed if a proposed development cost charge is not legislated by fall 2017 or early 2018. TransLink is counting on $10-$20 million per year in revenue from the fee. If the fee is not legislated in time, 20 to 50 per cent of the Phase 1 improvements expected to be implemented after 2019 will have to be deferred.
New Westminster Mayor Jonathan Coté, chair of the Mayors’ Council funding strategy committee, said he sees the situation as an opportunity.
“We recognize a minority government might not be as effective in terms of taking on a big agenda, and we’re fully aware of that, but we also feel that a minority government might be more open and more responsive to local needs,” he said.