The Broadway Subway Project is a 5.7 km extension of the Millennium Line, from VCC-Clark Station to Broadway and Arbutus. Currently, these are the most frequently asked questions.
General
Once constructed, the Broadway Subway will be integrated with the regional transit network and operated and maintained by TransLink.
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 2025.
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.
Construction
On September 3, 2020, the design-build contract was awarded to the Broadway Subway Project Corporation, an Acciona-Ghella joint venture. We will have more information about construction and timing after the contractor finalizes their plans, which will require provincial reviews and approval before work begins. Communications and engagement are key aspects of the project and will be ongoing as details emerge and before construction begins.
For the remainder of the year, work will likely include completion of design, site preparation and demolition of buildings to be used for station locations and laydown areas, in addition to ongoing utility relocations.
The Broadway Subway Project will be mainly constructed by underground tunneling methods. The contractor has indicated that twin tunnels with an excavation diameter of 6.3 metres will be built using two tunnel boring machines. The Project will also include 700 metres of elevated guideway from VCC Clark station to a tunnel portal near Great Northern Way Area.
Street-level construction and excavation can be expected in areas and blocks where stations will be constructed, and at each end of the line. Traffic decking will be placed in station blocks to allow people to travel through the corridor. A number of properties in station blocks will be used for off-street work and storage areas to support construction of the underground stations. The project laydown areas will be used for the delivery, storage and partial assembly of project equipment and materials to be installed or constructed. This will help 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.
Construction of the stations, the elevated guideway and the tunnel portal is expected to begin in 2021. Tunneling is expected to start in 2022 and the project is still on schedule for the new line to open in 2025. You can access businesses, services and residences on Broadway throughout construction.
The Project will be 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 will be maintained to local businesses, residences and medical services, including pedestrian access for people of all abilities.
Generally, there will be three lanes of traffic in each direction along Broadway, with one lane dedicated solely for buses (routes 99 and 9) and emergency vehicles. In station construction areas, two lanes of traffic will be maintained in each direction for buses and other vehicles on Broadway, with the exception of Broadway at Main Street.
The 10th Avenue cycling route will be maintained. During construction, the Project will reroute sections of the Arbutus and Central Valley greenways to safe cycling detour routes.
We will provide ongoing updates about any construction-related access changes through traffic news outlets, social media and our website.
The project team is engaging closely with businesses on and adjacent to Broadway regarding construction, access and signage and completed an initial survey in 2019. The information gathered, along with technical requirements, will inform the traffic and construction management and mitigation plans.
A comprehensive communications and community and business relations program will be in place to:
- Provide timely information about the Project, including construction, traffic and parking information.
- Work with local businesses and residents to mitigate construction impacts where possible, and help manage issues as they arise.
- Work with the community to promote alternative travel choices during construction.
- Work with local businesses to maintain visibility and help customers access their shops and services
Currently, parking is restricted on Broadway for about seven hours each weekday, in the morning and afternoon peak periods, with the curb lane dedicated to buses, taxis and cyclists. We anticipate this will be extended 24/7 to support the efficient movement of buses and all traffic throughout the construction period.
The Broadway Subway Project is working with the City of Vancouver to develop a parking management plan to address residential and business parking needs.