Liberal candidate promises to push province for Broadway subway line

With the provincialbyelection for Vancouver-Mount Pleasant just a week away, Liberal candidate GavinDew is promising if elected he will push for the building of the Broadway subway line.

"I'm hearing on the doorsteps that this is a massive priority for the people of East Vancouver," said Dew in a statement."The Broadway Line is absolutely critical to the riding of Vancouver-Mount Pleasant, and to all of the Lower Mainland."

The proposed 5.7 kilometreline would be an extension of the Millennium SkyTrain line, running from VCC-Clark Station to Arbutus Street, connecting with the Canada Line at Broadway-City Hall. A futureextension could see the line go all the way to UBC.

Dewsays asa candidate for B.C's governing party he's the best choice to get theestimated$3-billionBroadway subway line built.

"If you want the Broadway Line to get built, you need an advocate at the decision-making table who will work with all levels of government to fund transit priorities throughout the Lower Mainland," he said.

The congested Broadway corridor has been called North America's busiest bus route with a ridership of over 110,000 people per day.

The express99 B-line bus, which connect Commercial-Broadway SkyTrain station to UBC, is infamous for its overcrowding. It'snot uncommon for commuters using the 99 B-line to wait inlong lineups whilefull bus after full buspass them by.

Planners only expect the problem toworsen with increased development along the Broadway corridor.

Transit infrastructure funding normally requires a thirdfunding fromall three levels of governmentthe city, the province and the federal government.

In last year's transit plebiscite 62 per cent of voters said noto a new provincial sales tax to fund transit improvements.

The byelection takes place Feb. 2 with advanced polls opening Wednesday, Jan 27.