Progress continues on the Evergreen Line

No. H133/12
For release - December 8, 2012

COQUITLAM, BRITISH COLUMBIA - The final early works contract for the Evergreen Line has been awarded, which lays the ground work for major construction and helps to keep the project on track for 2016.

Pedre Contractors Ltd. of Langley was awarded a $683,000 contract to install underground power lines in Coquitlam. The lines will provide power for construction and operation of the Evergreen Line. Work will begin in early 2013 and is expected to finish in late March 2013.

This is the second Evergreen Line contract awarded to Pedre Contractors. The first contract was awarded earlier this year and the company successfully installed power lines in Port Moody and Coquitlam in August 2012.

"Our Government is proud to be a contributor to the Evergreen Line project, an important piece of public transit infrastructure for British Columbia that is creating jobs and economic growth," said the Honourable James Moore, Regional Minister for British Columbia and Member of Parliament for Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam. "We look forward to the start of major construction soon. This project will provide Metro Vancouver residents with an expanded, efficient and environmentally sustainable transit system."

"The Evergreen Line project is making steady progress," said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Mary Polak.  "We are making our way towards major construction and we expect to update the public later this month. We are committed to bringing the Evergreen Line to Metro Vancouver families and communities by summer 2016." 

Early works projects began in early 2012 and today this work is 75 per cent complete. Examples of this work include widening North Road in Burnaby, relocating transmission lines in Coquitlam and relocating railway tracks in Port Moody.

"From job creation to reducing commute times, the Evergreen Line will positively impact Metro Vancouver for many years to come. This is a strategic investment by all levels of government that will not only give people a better choice for getting around, but will also shape the tremendous growth taking place in our communities," said Doug Kelsey, TransLink's Chief Operating Officer.

The Evergreen Line will open in summer 2016 and will link the communities of Port Moody, Coquitlam and Burnaby with direct connection to the existing Millennium Line. It will generate economic development and support community growth along the route by providing efficient and reliable transit connections and service.  Construction of the Evergreen Line will create 8,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Construction cost for the Evergreen Line is estimated to be $1.4 billion, with the Government of Canada contributing up to $417 million and the Government of B.C. contributing $583 million. TransLink is contributing the remaining $400 million and will operate the Evergreen Line.

Learn More:
The Evergreen Line: www.evergreenline.gov.bc.ca
Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan: www.bcjobsplan.ca
On Twitter:  @TranBC #EvergreenlineBC
On Facebook:  www.facebook.com/evergreenline

A backgrounder follows.

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Contacts:

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December 8, 2012
Backgrounder - Evergreen Line early works construction highlights