Millennium Line
{{Short description|Rapid transit line in Metro Vancouver, Canada}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=April 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox rail line
| color = {{rcr|TransLink (BC)|Millennium}}
| name = Millennium Line
| logo = Millenniumline.svg
| logo_width = 250px
| image = BrentwoodStationTrains.jpg
| image_width =
| caption = A pair of trains at Brentwood Town Centre station
| type = Rapid transit
| system = SkyTrain
| locale = Metro Vancouver, British Columbia
| start = VCC–Clark
| end = Lafarge Lake–Douglas
| stations = 17 (6 under construction)
| daily_ridership = 311,000 (2023){{efn|Combined with Expo Line}}{{cite web|title=TransLink 2023 Transit Performance Review |url=https://www.translink.ca/-/media/translink/documents/plans-and-projects/managing-the-transit-network/tspr/2023_transit_service_performance_review.pdf| work= TransLink|accessdate=April 27, 2025}}
| open = {{Start date and age|2002|01|07}}
| close =
| owner = TransLink (South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority)
| operator = British Columbia Rapid Transit Company
| character =
| stock = ART Mark II, 2 cars per trainset
| linelength = {{convert|25.5|km|abbr=on}}{{citation needed lead|date=November 2018}}
| tracklength =
| tracks = 2
| gauge = {{RailGauge|ussg|first=metric}}
| electrification = Third rail (linear motor)
| speed = {{convert|80|km/h|abbr=on}}
| map = {{switcher
| {{maplink-road|from=Millennium Line.map}} Millennium Line highlighted in yellow
| Show interactive map
| {{Millennium Line|inline=yes}}
| Show route diagram
}}
}}
The Millennium Line is the second line of the SkyTrain rapid transit system in the Metro Vancouver region of British Columbia, Canada. The line is owned and operated by BC Rapid Transit Company, a subsidiary of TransLink, and links the cities of Vancouver, Burnaby, Coquitlam and Port Moody. The line was opened in 2002 and was named in recognition of the new millennium.
Route
The Millennium Line operates from VCC–Clark station in Vancouver to Lafarge Lake–Douglas station in Coquitlam. The line is elevated to Burquitlam station, where it then goes through a {{convert|2|km|mi|adj=on}} bored tunnel to the city of Port Moody. In Port Moody, the line runs at grade level, rising to cross railway tracks. From Coquitlam Central station, the line is elevated to the terminus at Lafarge Lake–Douglas station.
When the Evergreen Extension opened in late 2016, eastbound trains crossed the westbound tracks to access the new northernmost platform (Platform 3) at Lougheed Town Centre station. Trains then operated left-track running to a crossover junction just before Burquitlam Station, where trains crossed back to right-track running. Westbound Millennium Line trains crossed over to left-hand running just south of Burquitlam station, which allowed them to access westbound Platform 2 at Lougheed Town Centre station. This unusual service design allowed same-platform interchange for Expo Line passengers arriving at Lougheed Town Centre and continuing west towards VCC–Clark station on the Millennium Line.
On June 25, 2018, service patterns were changed to eliminate all left-track running. This change meant passengers arriving westbound at Lougheed on the Expo Line who wished to continue towards VCC–Clark could either change platforms at Lougheed or remain on their Expo Line train until its terminus at the next station, Production Way–University, where they could make a same-platform transfer to a westbound Millennium Line train. For passengers arriving eastbound at Lougheed, transfers between eastbound Millennium and Expo Line trains were now same-platform. TransLink stated the change to traditional right-track running would provide faster and more reliable trips for passengers as the many track changes the initial service pattern required had resulted in delays.{{Cite news |url=https://buzzer.translink.ca/2018/06/new-platforms-for-millennium-line-at-lougheed-town-centre-station/ |title=New platforms for Millennium Line at Lougheed Town Centre Station starting on June 25 |date=June 11, 2018 |work=The Buzzer blog |access-date=November 9, 2018}}{{cite web |url=https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/platform-change-at-lougheed-skytrain-station-begins-monday |title=Platform change at Lougheed SkyTrain Station begins Monday |date=June 22, 2018 |access-date=November 9, 2018}}
History
=Early proposals=
When the Expo Line was opened in 1985, an extension to Lougheed Mall in east Burnaby was proposed. The most likely junction point for the spur to Lougheed Mall would have been from Royal Oak station, up Edmonds Street to Lougheed Mall, although early SkyTrain route maps also suggested an extension northeast from New Westminster.{{cite web |first=Michael |last=Charles |url=https://orangeraisin.wordpress.com/2019/05/14/skytrain-edmonds-cariboo-extension/ |title=A SkyTrain historical footnote: The Edmonds-Cariboo extension |website=orangeraisin.wordpress.com |date=May 14, 2019 |access-date=July 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715034326/https://orangeraisin.wordpress.com/2019/05/14/skytrain-edmonds-cariboo-extension/ |archive-date=July 15, 2019 |url-status=live}}{{cite report |title=Skytrain Extension To Coquitlam Transit Planning Study Summary Report |date=September 25, 1986 |publisher=BC Transit SkyTrain Project}} Neither plan was realized, although the extension of Expo Line tracks to Columbia Station in 1989 and the completion of the SkyBridge to Surrey in 1990 resulted in a short spur east of Columbia station, which was later incorporated into the new Millennium Line.
=Phase I: Columbia to Commercial Drive (2002)=
File:Commercial Drive station construction.jpg under construction in September 2001]]
In 1995, the British Columbia government announced that an entirely new line, a street-level light rail line, would be built along Broadway and Lougheed Highway to Lougheed Mall (served by Lougheed Town Centre station), as the first phase of the "T"-Line{{Cite web |url=https://burnaby.civicweb.net/document/5091 |title=Richmond-Airport-Vancouver Rapid Transit Project/Northeast Sector Rapid Transit Alternatives |date=April 23, 2003 |access-date=February 24, 2016 |website=burnaby.civicweb.net |publisher=City of Burnaby}}{{dead link|date=February 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}} (one of three Intermediate Capacity Transit System lines) outlined in the Metro Vancouver's Livable Region Strategic Plan that extended into Coquitlam.{{Cite web |url=http://www.pmh1project.com/Policy%20Planning%20%20Reports/Liveable%20Region%20Strategic%20Plan.pdf |title=Livable Region Strategic Plan |date=April 28, 2000 |access-date = February 23, 2016 |website=pmh1project.com |publisher=GVRD |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305013226/http://www.pmh1project.com/Policy%20Planning%20%20Reports/Liveable%20Region%20Strategic%20Plan.pdf |archive-date=March 5, 2016}} An 18-month review of rapid transit was scheduled and started in January 1998 but was cut short by the government's announcement of its choice of Bombardier's technology in June 1998.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=November 20, 2008|title=TransLink History Nov 2008|url=http://www.translink.ca/-/media/Documents/about_translink/corporate_overview/corporate_reports/history/translink_history_nov_2008.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181110080355/https://www.translink.ca/-/media/Documents/about_translink/corporate_overview/corporate_reports/history/translink_history_nov_2008.pdf|archive-date=November 10, 2018|access-date=February 23, 2013|website=translink.ca|publisher=TransLink}} This meant that the first phase of the line would have to connect to the existing Expo Line to use its maintenance yard. Connecting the two lines at Broadway station was deemed impracticable, so the lines were connected in New Westminster. Switches to the Millennium Line were installed on the Expo Line just east of Columbia station. Expo Line service was reduced to a single track over the Skybridge during the installation of these switches. The main contractor for the project was SAR Transit, a joint venture of SC Infrastructure, Agra Monenco, and Rizzani de Eccher Inc.{{Cite journal |title=SkyTrain project racing down the tracks: designers and contractors push to meet schedule for rapid transit line |url=https://www.proquest.com/trade-journals/skytrain-project-racing-down-tracks-designers/docview/215179578/se-2 |date=November 27, 2000 |journal=Journal of Commerce |volume=89 |issue=94 |page=11 |last=Koehl |first=Stefan}}
The Millennium Line opened for revenue service on January 7, 2002 (a preview for SkyTrain passengers took place on the prior two days),{{Cite web |url=http://www.translink.ca/en/About-Us/Media/2001/December/Bus-service-comes-to-the-new-Braid-Millennium-Station-January-7-2002.aspx |title=Bus service comes to the new Braid Millennium Station January 7, 2002 |date=December 28, 2001 |access-date=February 23, 2016 |website=translink.ca |publisher=TransLink |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309130215/http://www.translink.ca/en/About-Us/Media/2001/December/Bus-service-comes-to-the-new-Braid-Millennium-Station-January-7-2002.aspx |archive-date=March 9, 2016}} with trains operating between Waterfront station on the Expo Line and Braid station in eastern New Westminster.
For the second phase, service was extended to Commercial Drive station (since merged with Broadway station to form Commercial–Broadway) on August 31, 2002 (with full integration with the bus network occurring on September 3, 2002).{{Cite web |url=http://www.translink.ca/en/About-Us/Media/2002/June/TransLink-Prepares-for-September-Service-Enhancements.aspx |title=TransLink Prepares for September Service Enhancements |date=June 20, 2002 |access-date=February 23, 2016 |website=translink.ca |publisher=TransLink |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309130218/http://www.translink.ca/en/About-Us/Media/2002/June/TransLink-Prepares-for-September-Service-Enhancements.aspx |archive-date=March 9, 2016}}{{Cite web |title=The Millennium Line turns 10! |url=https://buzzer.translink.ca/2012/09/the-millennium-line-turns-10/ |website=The Buzzer blog |date=September 6, 2012 |access-date = February 23, 2016}}
=Lake City Way and extension to VCC–Clark (2003–2006)=
Lake City Way station, located between Sperling–Burnaby Lake and Production Way–University stations, opened on November 21, 2003.{{Cite web |url=http://www.translink.ca/en/About-Us/Media/2003/November/TransLink-celebrates-opening-of-Lake-City-Way-SkyTrain-Station.aspx |title=TransLink celebrates opening of Lake City Way station |date=November 20, 2003 |access-date=February 23, 2016 |website=translink.ca |publisher=TransLink |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309130010/http://www.translink.ca/en/About-Us/Media/2003/November/TransLink-celebrates-opening-of-Lake-City-Way-SkyTrain-Station.aspx |archive-date=March 9, 2016}} Three years later, the line was extended to its present terminus, VCC–Clark station, on January 6, 2006.{{Cite web |url=http://www.translink.ca/en/About-Us/Corporate-Overview/Operating-Companies/BCRTC/History-of-SkyTrain.aspx |title=History of SkyTrain |access-date=February 23, 2016 |website=translink.ca |publisher=TransLink |archive-date=November 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181110080407/https://www.translink.ca/en/About-Us/Corporate-Overview/Operating-Companies/BCRTC/History-of-SkyTrain.aspx |url-status=dead }} The Millennium Line was now completed at a cost of $1.2{{nbsp}}billion, $40{{nbsp}}million under budget.{{rp|51}}
In 2007, the non-interlined portion of the Millennium Line served an average of 70,000 passengers per day. Of these, 14,000 passengers arrived on trains travelling from Expo Line stations west of Columbia station, and 7,000 transferred from the Surrey section of the Expo Line.{{cite web |url=http://www.translink.ca/~/media/Documents/Get%20Involved/Buzzer/2007/Buzzer_2007_08_03.ashx |title=Millennium Line celebrates five-year anniversary with growing ridership |publisher=Translink |date=August 3, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091027161210/http://www.translink.ca/~/media/Documents/Get%20Involved/Buzzer/2007/Buzzer_2007_08_03.ashx |archive-date=October 27, 2009}} In 2009, it was estimated that ridership had grown to at least 80,000 passengers per day.{{cite web |url=http://ubcskytrain.wordpress.com/skytrain-truths/aroundtheworld/ |title=SkyTrain in Vancouver |publisher=UBC SkyTrain Group |year=2009}}
Initially, the Millennium Line service followed the Expo Line from Waterfront to Columbia stations, then looped back into Vancouver via the new route, passing through Commercial–Broadway again at a different platform, and terminating at VCC–Clark station. After a reconfiguration on October 22, 2016, in preparation for the opening of the Evergreen Extension, the Millennium Line ran between VCC–Clark station in the west to Lougheed Town Centre station in the east. Transfers to the Expo Line were now made possible at Production Way–University and Lougheed Town Centre stations. Braid and Sapperton stations were reassigned to the Expo Line.{{cite news |title=Changes Coming to SkyTrain October 22 |url=http://www.translink.ca/skytrainchanges |date=September 19, 2016 |work=TransLink |access-date=September 19, 2016}}
=Phase II: Evergreen Extension (2016)=
{{Main|Evergreen Extension}}
The second phase of the Millennium Line was to be an extension from Lougheed Mall to Coquitlam (then known as the Port Moody–Coquitlam (PMC) Line),{{Cite web |date=June 4, 2007 |title=Audited Financial Statements of Rapid Transit Project 2000 Ltd. |url=https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/british-columbians-our-governments/government-finances/public-accounts/2006-07/sup-e/rapid-transit-project-2000-fs-2006-07.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221125053330/https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/british-columbians-our-governments/government-finances/public-accounts/2006-07/sup-e/rapid-transit-project-2000-fs-2006-07.pdf |archive-date=November 25, 2022 |access-date=November 25, 2022 |website=fin.gov.bc.ca |publisher=Government of British Columbia}} which would have provided a "one-seat ride" from Coquitlam to VCC–Clark station. A short spur{{Cite web|title = Evergreen Line spurs new travel choices and development {{!}} BC Gov News|url = https://news.gov.bc.ca/stories/evergreen-line-spurs-new-travel-choices-and-development|website = news.gov.bc.ca|access-date = February 24, 2016|first = Todd|last = Stone|date = December 19, 2013|archive-date = February 2, 2017|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170202002101/https://news.gov.bc.ca/stories/evergreen-line-spurs-new-travel-choices-and-development|url-status = dead}} and switches to the PMC Line were installed to the east of Lougheed Town Centre station and a third platform was roughed-in in anticipation of the extension. Phase II was placed on hold following a change in provincial government.
A SkyTrain extension from Lougheed Town Centre station to Coquitlam Town Centre was proposed when the original Millennium Line was built and the necessary junction tracks for such an extension were built at the station during its initial construction. At one point prior to 2008, the mode planned for the extension was changed to light rail instead of SkyTrain, which meant that the junction tracks would have remained unused. However, in February 2008, plans reverted to the use of SkyTrain technology for the extension, to facilitate higher ridership, shorten travel times and to integrate seamlessly with the existing SkyTrain network. As a result, the junction tracks and roughed-in third platform at Lougheed Town Centre station were used as part of the Evergreen Extension.{{cite web |url=http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/evergreen_line/documents/Business_Case/080219_BusinessCase.pdf |title=Evergreen Line Rapid Transit Project Business Case |publisher=BC Ministry of Transportation |date=February 19, 2008 |access-date=November 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202002109/http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/evergreen_line/documents/Business_Case/080219_BusinessCase.pdf |archive-date=February 2, 2017 |url-status=dead }}
Construction of the Evergreen Extension began in 2013 and was completed in late 2016. The extension opened for revenue service on December 2, 2016.{{cite web |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/delayed-evergreen-line-to-open-dec-2-1.3840163 |title=Delayed Evergreen Line to open Dec. 2 |work=CBC News |access-date=November 8, 2016}}{{cite news |last1=Brown |first1=Scott |title=TransLink will open Evergreen Line on Dec. 2 |date=November 7, 2016 |access-date=November 7, 2016 |work=Vancouver Sun |url=https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/translink-will-open-evergreen-line-on-dec-2}}
Expansion plans
=Broadway extension=
{{stack|File:SkyTrain Broadway Subway map.svg
File:Great Northern Way–Emily Carr station (20220414 184342743).jpg at the site of Great Northern Way–Emily Carr station in April 2022]]
File:Broadway Subway construction near Yukon Street, Vancouver - July 2022 - 02.jpg}}
On March 16, 2018, the provincial government approved the construction of the "Broadway Subway Project", an initiative which will extend the Millennium Line west to Arbutus Street and add six new stations.{{cite web |url=https://www.translink.ca/Plans-and-Projects/Rapid-Transit-Projects/Broadway-Subway-Project.aspx |title=Broadway Subway Project |publisher=TransLink |access-date=April 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325033721/https://www.translink.ca/Plans-and-Projects/Rapid-Transit-Projects/Broadway-Subway-Project.aspx |archive-date=March 25, 2019 |website=translink.ca}} The extension will be {{convert|5.7|km}} long, all but {{convert|700|m}} of which will be underground, and cost an estimated $2.83{{Nbsp}}billion. Originally scheduled for a 2025 opening, the expected opening was pushed back to early 2026 in November 2022.{{Cite web |last=Chan |first=Kenneth |date=May 13, 2021 |title=Major construction now officially underway on $2.8-billion Broadway Subway |url=https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/broadway-subway-skytrain-extension-construction-timeline |access-date=August 18, 2022 |website=Daily Hive}}{{cite web |title=FAQ |url=https://www.broadwaysubway.ca/about/faq/ |website=Broadway Subway Project |date=August 22, 2020 |publisher=Government of British Columbia |access-date=May 15, 2021}}{{Cite web |last=Chan |first=Kenneth |date=November 24, 2022 |title=Broadway Subway opening delayed to 2026 |url=https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/broadway-subway-skytrain-millennium-line-extension-opening-date |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221125034617/https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/broadway-subway-skytrain-millennium-line-extension-opening-date |archive-date=November 25, 2022 |access-date=November 25, 2022 |website=Daily Hive Vancouver |language=en |url-status=live}} The delay was caused by a labour dispute involving concrete workers which started in June 2022. On May 24, 2024, the province revealed that the project would be delayed further, to late 2027.{{cite web |url=https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2024MOTI0065-000799 |title=Two major infrastructure projects reach milestones |publisher=Ministry of Transportation |date=May 24, 2024 }}
While six new stations are confirmed for the Broadway extension, one will become part of the existing Broadway–City Hall Canada Line station, which is scheduled to be upgraded as part of the project:{{efn|All locations are approximate, with final station locations within one block of the given intersections.}}{{cite web |last=Chan |first=Kenneth |url=https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/skytrain-broadway-subway-station-names-2019 |title=These are the proposed station names for SkyTrain's Broadway Extension |work=Daily Hive |date=July 3, 2019 |access-date=July 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190704035403/https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/skytrain-broadway-subway-station-names-2019 |archive-date=July 4, 2019 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |first=Kenneth |last=Chan |title=These are the 6 stations of the Broadway Subway in Vancouver (VISUALS) |url=https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/skytrain-broadway-extension-millennium-line-stations-vancouver |work=Daily Hive |date=March 22, 2018 |access-date=July 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324191706/https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/skytrain-broadway-extension-millennium-line-stations-vancouver |archive-date=March 24, 2018 |url-status=live}}
- Great Northern Way–Emily Carr station, at Great Northern Way and Thornton Street adjacent to the Emily Carr University
- Mount Pleasant station, at Main Street and East Broadway
- Broadway–City Hall station, at Cambie Street and West Broadway. The existing Broadway–City Hall station on the Canada Line, originally designed with a "knock-out" panel to accommodate a connection to a future Millennium Line extension, will be upgraded and connected to the extension. An adjacent development was required by the City of Vancouver to provide space for an additional entrance to the Millennium Line portion of the station.
- Oak–VGH station, at Laurel Street and West Broadway near Vancouver General Hospital (VGH)
- South Granville station, at Granville Street and West Broadway
- Arbutus station, at Arbutus Street and West Broadway. The 99 B-Line bus route, which follows much of the extension's route, will be truncated to terminate at this station.
== Construction ==
Preliminary work on the extension began on February 19, 2019, with the installation of trolley poles and wires on 12th Avenue between Arbutus and Granville Streets that were required in order to reroute trolley buses off of Broadway for the duration of the construction of the subway.{{cite web |title=Early Works – Broadway Subway |url=https://engage.gov.bc.ca/broadwaysubway/early-works/ |access-date=April 13, 2019 |work=Government of British Columbia}}{{cite web |last=Chan |first=Kenneth |date=March 25, 2019 |title=TransLink releases map of trolley reroutes during Broadway Subway construction |url=https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/vancouver-broadway-subway-trolley-bus-reroutes |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190326054737/https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/vancouver-broadway-subway-trolley-bus-reroutes |archive-date=March 26, 2019 |access-date=July 11, 2019 |work=Daily Hive}} On June 22, 2020, trolleybuses were removed from Broadway.{{cite web |last=Lazaruk |first=Susan |date=June 10, 2020 |title=TransLink taking trolley buses off busy Broadway for next five years |url=https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/translink-taking-trolley-buses-off-busy-broadway-for-next-five-years |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610230442/https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/translink-taking-trolley-buses-off-busy-broadway-for-next-five-years |archive-date=June 10, 2020 |access-date=June 10, 2020 |work=Vancouver Sun}} The provincial government initially had a plan to have a contractor selected by April 2020 to allow for construction to begin later that year.{{cite web |last=Chan |first=Kenneth |date=February 15, 2019 |title=BC launches bidding process for $2.8-billion Broadway Subway to Arbutus |url=https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/broadway-extension-skytrain-bidding-process-february-2019 |access-date=July 11, 2019 |work=Daily Hive}} On July 17, 2020, the provincial Ministry of Transportation announced that Acciona Infrastructure, a Spanish conglomerate, and Ghella, an Italian company, would be in charge of construction.{{Cite web |last=Little |first=Simon |date=July 17, 2020 |title=B.C. government picks construction group to build Vancouver's Broadway subway |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/7190683/bc-government-construction-consortium-broadview-subway/ |access-date=July 18, 2020 |website=globalnews.ca}} Demolition of buildings, to make room for station entrances and construction staging areas, began in February 2021.{{Cite web |last=Chan |first=Kenneth |date=February 2, 2021 |title=Demolition begins ahead of Broadway Subway's major construction work |url=https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/broadway-subway-demolition-work-february-2021 |access-date=August 18, 2022 |website=Daily Hive}}
Major construction on the extension began on May 13, 2021.{{Cite web |date=May 13, 2021 |title=Broadway Subway Project reaches major construction phase |url=https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021TRAN0065-000906 |access-date=April 27, 2022 |website=BC Gov News {{!}} Transportation and Infrastructure}} "Traffic decks" began to be installed over Mount Pleasant, Broadway–City Hall, Oak–VGH, South Granville, and Arbutus stations, to avoid closing Broadway while station construction takes place underneath. Construction of the elevated guideway at the eastern end of the extension began on December 13, 2021. This {{convert|700|m|ft|-long|adj=mid}} guideway is the only above-ground portion of the extension and connects the existing VCC–Clark station to a tunnel portal adjacent to the Emily Carr University of Art and Design.{{Cite web |last=Chan |first=Kenneth |date=December 13, 2021 |title=Construction begins on Broadway Subway's elevated track |url=https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/broadway-subway-skytrain-elevated-guideway-construction |access-date=August 18, 2022 |website=Daily Hive}}
The tunnel boring machines for the project were delivered to Vancouver between April and June 2022. Two identical machines, each {{convert|6|m}} in diameter and {{convert|150|m}} in length, would dig about {{convert|18|m}} of tunnel per day, at a depth of {{convert|15|to|20|m}} below the surface.{{Cite web |last=Little |first=Simon |date=April 23, 2022 |title=Broadway subway: Tunneling to start this summer as machine parts arrive in Vancouver |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/8781289/broadway-subway-tunneling-equipment/ |access-date=August 18, 2022 |website=Global News}}{{Cite web |last=Menteth |first=Thames |date=June 16, 2022 |title=Final TBM parts arrive for Vancouver's Broadway Subway |url=https://www.geplus.co.uk/news/final-tbm-parts-arrive-for-vancouvers-broadway-subway-16-06-2022/ |access-date=August 18, 2022 |website=Ground Engineering}} The two machines were named Elsie and Phyllis, honouring two influential Vancouver residents: aeronautical engineer Elsie MacGill and mountaineer Phyllis Munday. Elsie began tunnelling the eastbound tunnel from Great Northern Way–Emily Carr station in October 2022, with Phyllis beginning work on the westbound tunnel in late November. Both machines had reached Broadway–City Hall station by May 26, 2023,{{Cite web |last=Chan |first=Kenneth |date=May 26, 2023 |title=New subway's second tunnel-boring machine reaches Broadway-City Hall Station |url=https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/skytrain-millennium-line-broadway-city-hall-station-phyllis-tunnel-boring |access-date=October 6, 2023 |website=Daily Hive}}{{Cite web |last=Rush |first=Jim |date=May 30, 2023 |title=Second TBM Breaks Through at Vancouver's Broadway-City Hall Station |url=https://tunnelingonline.com/second-tbm-breaks-through-at-vancouvers-broadway-city-hall-station/ |access-date=October 6, 2023 |website=Tunnel Business Magazine}} and South Granville station by February 8, 2024.{{Cite web |last=Chan |first=Kenneth |date=February 10, 2024 |title=Second tunnel boring machine for Broadway Subway reaches South Granville Station |url=https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/elsie-tunnel-boring-machine-broadway-subway-south-granville-station-skytrain |access-date=February 11, 2024 |website=Daily Hive}} Phyllis completed boring at Arbutus station on March 20, 2024, and the tunnel boring phase was fully completed when Elsie reached Arbutus on April 26, 2024.{{Cite web |last=Chan |first=Kenneth |date=April 29, 2024 |title=Breakthrough! Tunnel boring for Broadway Subway reaches full completion |url=https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/broadway-subway-skytrain-millennium-line-tunnel-boring-complete |access-date=May 1, 2024 |website=Daily Hive}}
=University of British Columbia extension<span id="UBC extension"></span>=
On January 14, 2008, the Government of British Columbia announced a commitment to the expansion of the Millennium Line to the University of British Columbia (UBC) by 2020 as part of a $14-billion transit spending package to address global warming. It was not clear what route the new line would take, but it was hinted that there would be less use of cut-and-cover tunnelling to minimize disruption to businesses along Broadway and avoid the same problems seen during the Canada Line construction along Cambie Street.{{cite news |first=Vaughn |last=Palmer |title=Less than meets the eye, and light on details |url=http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=6cb8fa40-30d1-4437-aa0f-6be3080a6d95&p=2 |work=Vancouver Sun |publisher=CanWest MediaWorks Publications |date=January 15, 2008 |access-date=January 15, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103191941/http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=6cb8fa40-30d1-4437-aa0f-6be3080a6d95&p=2 |archive-date=November 3, 2012}} This expansion failed to materialize.
On February 15, 2019, the TransLink Mayors' Council again approved an extension of the line to the UBC campus, although funding for this continuation past Arbutus Street had not yet been secured.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/skytrain-extension-ubc-1.5021463|title=Metro Vancouver mayors vote yes on SkyTrain extension to UBC | date=February 15, 2019 |work=CBC News |access-date=February 16, 2019}} In 2022, TransLink unveiled a proposed route for the extension: the line would continue west under Broadway, with stations at Macdonald and Alma Streets. It would then deviate slightly north to a station serving the redevelopment at the Jericho Lands. In the University Endowment Lands, the line would either take an elevated route following University Boulevard, or a tunnelled route underneath the University Golf Club, to get to UBC at a station under the University Boulevard bus loop.{{Cite news |last=McDonald |first=Elizabeth |date=May 2, 2022 |title=TransLink presents two potential routes for SkyTrain to UBC project |work=The Ubyssey |url=https://www.ubyssey.ca/news/translink-presents-two-potential-routes-for-skytrain-to-ubc-project/ |access-date=August 21, 2022}} The station locations at Macdonald Street, Alma Street, and the Jericho Lands were approved by the Vancouver City Council in March 2022.{{Cite news |last=Britten |first=Liam |date=March 30, 2022 |title=Vancouver council picks spots for 3 stations on proposed SkyTrain extension to UBC |work=CBC News |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/ubc-skytrain-stations-1.6403412 |access-date=August 21, 2022}}
=Port Coquitlam extension=
When the Evergreen Extension was built, the first few metres of track and a track switch to allow for an eventual eastward extension to Port Coquitlam were built at Coquitlam Central station. This would create two branches where trains would alternate between going east to Lafarge Lake–Douglas station or to Port Coquitlam. A feasibility study was conducted, started during early 2020 and running for about six months. Port Coquitlam mayor Brad West, the Port Coquitlam city council, and the Coquitlam City Council all voiced support for the extension. However, {{as of|2025|lc=y|post=,}} no funding had been secured nor a formal plan created.{{cite web|url=https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/port-coquitlam-skytrain-study|title=Port Coquitlam to launch feasibility study on Skytrain Extension | date=November 28, 2019 |work=Daily Hive |access-date=November 28, 2019}}
Stations
class="wikitable
! Station ! City ! Connections ! Location | |||
VCC–Clark | rowspan="4" |Vancouver | East 6th Avenue at Clark Drive | |
Commercial–Broadway | {{rint|size=20|vancouver|expo}} {{rint|size=20|vancouver|bus|99}} | Commercial Drive at Broadway | |
Renfrew | Grandview Highway at Renfrew Street | ||
Rupert | Broadway at Rupert Street | ||
Gilmore | rowspan="7" |Burnaby | Lougheed Highway at Gilmore Avenue | |
Brentwood Town Centre | Lougheed Highway at Willingdon Avenue | ||
Holdom | Lougheed Highway at Holdom Avenue | ||
Sperling–Burnaby Lake | Lougheed Highway at Sperling Avenue; near Burnaby Lake | ||
Lake City Way | Lougheed Highway at Lake City Way | ||
Production Way–University | {{rint|size=20|vancouver|expo}} SFU | Lougheed Highway at Production Way | |
Lougheed Town Centre | {{rint|size=20|vancouver|expo}} | Lougheed Highway at Austin; adjacent to the City of Lougheed shopping centre | |
Burquitlam | Coquitlam | Clarke Road at Smith Avenue | |
Moody Centre | rowspan="2" |Port Moody | {{rint|size=20|vancouver|wce}} | Barnet Highway at Williams Street |
Inlet Centre | Barnet Highway at Ioco Road | ||
Coquitlam Central | rowspan="3" |Coquitlam | {{rint|size=20|vancouver|wce}} {{rint|size=20|vancouver|rapidbus|r3}} | Barnet Highway at Pinetree Way |
Lincoln | Pinetree Way at Lincoln Avenue | ||
Lafarge Lake–Douglas | Pinetree Way at Guilford Way; adjacent to Lafarge Lake |
See also
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Attached KML|display=title,inline}}
- [http://www.translink.ca/ TransLink] – The organization that owns SkyTrain
{{TransLink Services}}
Category:Railway lines opened in 2002
Category:2002 establishments in British Columbia
Category:Transport in Coquitlam