New Pattullo Bridge on track, mayors hear
After months of uncertainty, TransLink hopes to have funding in place for a new Pattullo Bridge and a slew of major transit projects by the end of this year.
The regional transit authority is counting on money from the provincial government to move ahead with the bridge and the second phase of a 10-year transit transportation plan, but the outcome of the May provincial election and subsequent political upheaval left many mayors anxious about meeting timelines associated with the projects.
At a meeting on Thursday, TransLink staff told members of the Mayors’ Council on Regional Transportation that plans appear to be on schedule.
Geoff Cross, vice-president of planning and policy, said the Pattullo replacement is considered TransLink’s most pressing concern because the bridge is at the end of its useful life. The NDP has promised to kick in 40 per cent of the capital cost of the bridgereplacement project.
TransLink is also looking for a subsidy to replace the tolls that were eliminated Sept. 1. The transit authority had been counting on tolls to pay for up to two-thirds of the cost of the new Pattullo, which was estimated at about $1 billion in 2014.
The amount of the subsidy has not been determined.
The goal is to have financial analysis done around the end of this month, conduct consultation in October and begin procurement in November.
Cross noticed some mayors smiling as he talked about the timeline.
“It is an ambitious schedule,” he acknowledged, “but it’s the one we’ve been working toward for several years now.”
In this spring’s federal budget, the government committed capital funding of about $2.2 billion for three major projects in Phase 2 of the 10-year plan: the Broadway subway, Surrey light rail and the SkyTrain upgrade strategy. That money will be confirmed once the business cases are finalized this fall.
During the election, the NDP committed to providing funding for 40 per cent of capital costs associated with all projects in the 10-year vision.
Confirmation of capital funding for Phase 2 projects will come this fall after business cases are finalized and a regional source is found to cover the funding gap.
Mike Buda, executive director of the mayors’ council, said a regional funding source has not yet been identified. Currently, TransLink’s funding sources are property taxes and fares. The mayors have spoken out strongly against hiking property taxes further, and it was suggested in the spring that they use property transfer and school taxes already paid by the region’s residents.
Buda said TransLink is well into discussions with the province on regional funding sources and he is cautiously optimistic there will be a draft agreement in place soon.
“I’m heartened by the progress we’re making,” he said.
It is anticipated an investment plan will be finalized and available to TransLink’s board and the mayors’ council in October or November, so that public consultation can begin this year. Cross said they are still on target to have an approved investment plan in the first quarter of 2018.
“I think all three levels of government are motivated to be on that time track,” he said.
TransLink is also in discussions with the province about legislating a development cost charge that is meant to help pay for projects promised in the already-approved first phase of the 10-year-plan.
TransLink is counting on about $10 million to $20 million per year in revenue from the fee. If the fee is not legislated by mid-2018, then 20 to 50 per cent of the Phase 1 improvements that are expected to be implemented after 2019 will have to be deferred.
Cross said they are exploring several options for how the development cost charge would be implemented.