Evergreen Extension
| Company type | Rapid transit extension project |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Founded | May 2012 |
| Fate | Opened and operational |
| Headquarters | Metro Vancouver , Canada |
Area served | Metro Vancouver, British Columbia |
| Products | Rapid transit service (SkyTrain Millennium Line extension) |
| Owner | TransLink |
| Website | www |
Evergreen Extension
The Evergreen Extension—previously known as the Evergreen Line—represents an expansion of Metro Vancouver's Millennium Line within the SkyTrain rapid transit network. This extension links Lougheed Town Centre in Burnaby to Lafarge Lake–Douglas in Coquitlam, incorporating six additional stations and enhancements to Lougheed Town Centre station. Service commenced on December 2, 2016.
Following its launch, the Millennium Line's route was adjusted to run between VCC–Clark and Lafarge Lake–Douglas. Initial projections estimated daily ridership at 50,000 in the first year, increasing to 70,000 by 2021. However, actual usage fell short of expectations, with approximately 30,000 weekday trips recorded in early 2017, rising to nearly 40,000 by 2019 before experiencing a significant drop attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic.
History
Plans for extending rapid transit into Coquitlam originated as phase two of the Millennium Line following its 2002 completion. Due to escalating expenses, this extension was cancelled; nevertheless, a partially constructed third platform and track spur at Lougheed Town Centre station were built to accommodate potential future expansion.
After the Millennium Line's inauguration, TransLink evaluated various options for the extension including diesel multiple units, light rail transit (LRT), a new SkyTrain line, and express bus service. The 97 B-Line express bus service was introduced in 2002. By 2004, light rail had emerged as the preferred mode given its cost efficiency, compatibility with local neighborhoods, and ability to attract ridership without conflicting with West Coast Express users.
In 2006, detailed design commenced following TransLink's approval of the Evergreen Light Rail Transit (LRT) project definition phase. Despite public engagement efforts, progress stalled in 2007 while unresolved issues and funding commitments from senior government levels awaited resolution.
On February 1, 2008, a revised business case recommended Bombardier’s Advanced Light Rapid Transit (ALRT) technology—the same used by SkyTrain—over LRT, resulting in a delayed completion timeline from 2011 to 2014. After municipal consultations, the North West alignment was chosen. By August 2008, agreements between the provincial government and TransLink confirmed project delivery. The Project Description Report released in May 2009 detailed the project's scope and environmental considerations.
A September 2009 report by the Regional Transportation Commissioner highlighted that without reliable operational funding, expansion including Evergreen was improbable. Although funding remained uncertain, updates anticipated contractor selection and environmental assessment completion by late 2010.
In October 2009, the TransLink Mayors' Council declined additional funding for Evergreen, prioritizing maintenance of existing services. Nonetheless, Premier Gordon Campbell affirmed that the project would proceed.
The Mayors' Council approved the "Moving Forward" 2012 Supplemental Plan in October 2011 which included a Metro Vancouver fuel tax increase to finance Evergreen. The $1.4 billion budget was divided among TransLink ($400 million), provincial ($583 million), and federal ($417 million) contributions. Construction was scheduled to start mid-2012 after contractor selection.
Preliminary work began in May 2012 involving demolition and utility tunnel construction in Port Moody and Coquitlam. Contracts were awarded for widening impacted roadways.
In July 2012, a $7 million federal contribution toward Lincoln station was announced through a public–private partnership with Coquitlam Centre Mall.
SNC-Lavalin was appointed as primary contractor in October 2012. In December of that year, Bombardier Transportation secured a contract to supply 28 SkyTrain vehicles. The final early works contract was awarded later that month with completion aimed for March 2013; overall project completion remained targeted for 2016.
Thales Canada received a contract in February 2013 to implement SelTrac communications-based train control (CBTC).
Station names were finalized by March 2013 with construction starting mid-year from Burquitlam heading southward. Stations were built sequentially: Inlet Centre; Moody Centre; Lincoln; Burquitlam; Lougheed Town Centre; followed by Coquitlam Central and Lafarge Lake–Douglas.
By October 2014, elevated guideway construction from Lougheed Town Centre to South Tunnel Portal was finished; work continued northward toward Lafarge Lake–Douglas station.
In February 2015, opening was postponed to late 2016 due to slower than anticipated tunnel boring progress; contractors absorbed delay-related costs.
Testing of trains between Lougheed and Burquitlam began in July 2015. In November that year, opening was deferred further to early 2017.
By April 2016, approximately 85% of the project was complete including tracks, guideways, tunnels, stations, and initial system testing.
In September 2016 officials announced an opening before year-end but did not specify an exact date. The line was rebranded as the Evergreen Extension.
On October 22, 2016 Expo and Millennium Line routes were adjusted to facilitate Evergreen Extension operations prior to launch.
TransLink confirmed December 2, 2016 as the official inauguration date for the Evergreen Extension.
Project financing
The project's financial backing originated from four primary contributors:
- British Columbia Government: $586 million
- Canadian Federal Government: $424 million
- TransLink: $400 million
- City of Coquitlam together with Coquitlam Centre: $21 million
Route overview
According to the July 2012 update, the route alignment is detailed as follows:
- Burquitlam
- The Evergreen Line departs northward from Lougheed Town Centre Station on an elevated track running alongside North Road. Burquitlam Station is situated on Clarke Road near Burquitlam Plaza. Beyond Burquitlam, the line shifts to the west side of Clarke Road before entering a tunnel en route to Port Moody.
- Port Moody
- The line surfaces east of Barnet Highway, continuing at grade along the southern edge of Canadian Pacific Rail (CPR) tracks until reaching Moody Centre Station, which connects with the West Coast Express. It then crosses over the CPR tracks close to Inlet Centre Station, located north of Barnet Highway.
- Coquitlam
- Following this, the route proceeds along the northern side of the CPR tracks to Coquitlam Central Station at the transit exchange. From there, it travels on an elevated guideway along Pinetree Way to Lincoln Station, crosses near Northern Avenue, and concludes at Lafarge Lake–Douglas Station situated north of Guildford Way.
Until June 24, 2018, trains operated with left-hand running between Burquitlam and Lougheed Town Centre, utilizing switches near Burquitlam to transition back to right-hand running. Normal right-hand operation commenced on June 25, 2018, improving service reliability by minimizing delays.
System design
The May 2009 Project Description Report highlighted several operational features:
- Journey duration from Coquitlam City Centre to Lougheed Town Centre: 15 minutes
- Train frequency: every three minutes during peak periods
- Hours of operation: roughly 20 hours on weekdays with reduced service on weekends
- Seamless transfers to the Millennium Line (as of that time)
- Expected daily ridership: 70,000 passengers by 2021
- Peak hour capacity forecast: 10,400 passengers in 2021
- Connection integration with existing SkyTrain infrastructure near Edmonds station on the Expo Line
Originally planned as a light rail transit (LRT) line with eleven stations, the switch to automated light rapid transit (ALRT) technology resulted in four stations being removed: Cameron, Buller, Lansdowne, and Coquitlam Civic Centre.
Stations
The Evergreen Extension introduced six new stations:
- Burquitlam station, located on Clarke Road’s east side adjacent to Burquitlam Plaza
- Moody Centre station, positioned at Port Moody’s transit exchange
- Inlet Centre station, north of Barnet Highway beside CPR tracks
- Coquitlam Central station, at Coquitlam’s transit exchange hub
- Lincoln station, situated at the northeast corner of Coquitlam Centre
- Lafarge Lake–Douglas station, found east of Pinetree Way northward of Guildford Way
Two pre-existing SkyTrain stations underwent enhancements for the Evergreen Extension:
- Lougheed Town Centre station—A new northeast platform (Platform 3) was added for eastbound trains heading toward Lafarge Lake–Douglas. This addition complements the existing central platforms (1 & 2) serving Expo and Millennium Line trains, facilitating efficient cross-platform transfers.
- Commercial–Broadway station—Upgraded to accommodate increased passenger volumes as Metro Vancouver’s busiest transit interchange. Enhancements included a new side platform for Waterfront-bound trains employing a partial Spanish solution, remodeling of the nearby Safeway store, construction of a pedestrian overpass spanning Broadway, and expansion of the bridge over Grandview Cut leading to Millennium Line platforms.
The design also incorporated provisions for two potential future stations at Queens Street in Port Moody and Falcon Drive in Coquitlam, dependent on urban development needs. Additionally, a short spur track at Coquitlam Central station was designed to enable possible future extension toward Port Coquitlam.