FAQ

Planning and analysis on this line have been underway for many years, and included the City, Province, TransLink and the region’s mayors as part of the Mayors’ Council. A decision was made by the mayors to fund and build rapid transit to UBC in two phases based on available funding. Funding is in place for the Broadway Subway Project, which is defined from VCC-Clark to Arbutus, with completion in 2026.

The City, TransLink and UBC are involved in a planning initiative to extend the subway to UBC. In the meantime, the Arbutus Street terminus will be designed to allow for future rapid transit expansion to UBC.

Two tunnel boring machines are building twin tunnels with an excavation diameter of 6 metres. The project also includes 700 metres of elevated guideway from VCC-Clark Station to the future Great Northern Way-Emily Carr Station. The new line will open in 2026.

Street-level construction and excavation occurs in the blocks where the new stations are being constructed. Traffic decking allows people to travel over the excavated stations. A number of properties in station blocks are being used for off-street work and storage areas to support construction of the underground stations. This helps keep construction activity off Broadway and adjacent streets as much as possible to mitigate disruption and manage safety for people visiting or traveling through the area. You can access businesses, services and residences on Broadway throughout construction.

The Project is being built using a Community Benefits Agreement to help employ locals, women, Indigenous people and others traditionally underrepresented in the trades, and increase B.C.’s skilled and diverse workforce.

Access is being maintained to local businesses, residences and medical services, including pedestrian access for people of all abilities. The project is providing transit priority in the curb lanes and has detoured trolley bus routes off Broadway. The contractor has rerouted sections of the Arbutus and Central Valley greenways and other cycling routes have been maintained. The contractor is taking a variety of steps to help reduce noise, while maintaining safety for workers and members of the public.

We are providing ongoing updates about any construction-related access changes through traffic news outlets, email notifications, social media and our website.

Broadway is open for business during construction. The project team has been engaging closely with businesses since 2019, and is committed to working with businesses to maintain visibility and access, and mitigate construction impacts such as noise, light and dust.

Parking restrictions on Broadway between Main and Arbutus are now in effect 24/7 instead of only within peak periods. Removing parking allows for bus priority in the curb lanes, and better access for emergency vehicles when needed. The project team is committed to keeping buses on schedule during construction of the Broadway Subway Project. Travel delays can occur in each station block due to congestion, movement of equipment and delivery of construction materials. Buses can make up lost time using the curb lanes to travel faster in between the station blocks.

The project team along with our partners at TransLink and the City of Vancouver recognize the importance of parking for businesses both along Broadway and on adjacent streets. The Project team continues to work closely with the City of Vancouver to address residential and business parking needs. The City may consider adjustments to parking regulations, designations and times, including Room2Load zones, for neighbouring streets and parking lots as needed.

Neighbourhood parking and access maps are available on our maps page.