Long-awaited Evergreen Line to open Dec. 2

$1.43B extension expected to move 70,000 people a day within five years

Northeast Metro residents will be getting an early Christmas present when the long-awaited Evergreen SkyTrain line begins service on Dec. 2.

Officials announced the opening date on Monday, declaring the construction of the 11-kilometre extension between Burnaby and Coquitlam complete.

The line has been handed over to TransLink in preparation for opening day, said Linda Reimer, MLA for Port Moody and Coquitlam.

“Once the extension is open, residents throughout the region will have access to faster and more convenient transit options,” said Reimer.

The $1.43-billion extension is expected to carry 70,000 people every day by 2021 and will provide commuters with a direct link between Coquitlam and Port Moody to VCC-Clark Station through six new SkyTrain stations.

“This is probably the most exciting day we’ve had here in 150 years or so,” said Port Moody Mayor Mike Clay.

“This has been a long time coming for the Tri-Cities and we’re very excited.”

Staff is working to integrate the extension with the existing bus network, which would involve modifying 22 bus routes and updating more than 1,000 bus stop signs.

Route changes have already started. Last month, TransLink adjusted other SkyTrain routes in preparation for the extension opening.

The Millennium Line no longer goes to Waterfront Station in downtown Vancouver and instead operates only between VCC-Clark and Lougheed Town Centre, where it will connect with the Evergreen Line.

The exact time the Evergreen Line will start carrying passengers on Dec. 2 will be announced closer to the date.

Construction on the project began in 2013.

It was scheduled to open in the summer, but was repeatedly postponed after unexpected problems, including the shifting of the concrete guideway at Como Lake Avenue and four sinkholes that appeared while the tunnel was being bored.

Cost overruns due to tunnel problems and other issues during construction were shouldered by the consortium led by SNC-Lavalin that built the line.

TransLink said that once the line opens, the system will be the longest fully-automated driverless rapid transit system in the world.

This is probably the most exciting day we’ve had here in 150 years or so. This has been a long time coming for the Tri-Cities.

NICK PROCAYLO The Evergreen Line train tunnel is seen from the driver’s seat. Problems encountered during the boring of the tunnel delayed the project, but the line is set to open on Dec. 2.