Surrey, B.C. light rapid transit plan on track to proceed despite protests

In less than two years,TransLinkis expectedto begin building a newlight rail transportation systemin Metro Vancouver, whichwill linkGuilford, Surrey Central and Newton.

As the LRT project zooms ahead, a groupcalled SkyTrain for Surrey, ispushing back against the plan, saying it's not the right fit for the city, where thepopulation is expected to rise to 800,000 by 2041 from the current 500,000.

The group says the LRTproject is too pricey for what it delivers.

"The project is going to be a very expensive mistake, with a very high cost, yet delivering very little," saidDarryl Dela Cruz as he stood on 104 Avenue Saturday. The LRTwill most likely run along the street.

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The $1.65 billion dollar project would include10 kilometres of two-way, street-level track with 11 stops between Newton Exchange, Surrey Central and Guilford Exchange.

Similar systems are used in Toronto and around the world, where rail cars run in their own lanes. Passengers board and disembark at street level at stops and intersections.

Increasing capacity

"It's a very important project," said Stephan MehrSaturday at an open house, as heexplainedthe LRT project to residents.

"We're introducing transitto increase the amount of capacity."

According to the city, 72 per cent of residents are in favour of the project, which will eventually extend an LRTline from Surrey Central Station to Langley.

But many residents at the open house were critical of the project, saying the LRTmay worsen traffic and won't be very fast.

"It doesn't make any sense, except for the Surrey Central to Langley line," said resident Patrick Henry.

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Randy Ellis, another resident who is worried about the cost, is also concerned that putting rail lines down the middle of busy roads in Surrey will make them more congested.

"They're spending a lot of money to make the roadway smaller when they just have to increase the buses," he said.

DelaCruz argues that the trains will mixwith traffic and run through major intersections, which will be disruptive.

He also says that the rail line is not much quicker or reliable than buses and wants TransLink to extend the Expo line of SkyTrainalong the Fraser Highway to Langley.

The transit authority has rejected that option due to cost.

As for the Newton to Guilford line, SkyTrain for Surrey wants a bus rapid transit system on 104 Avenue and King George Boulevard.

TransLink's ManjitGill, a Surrey resident, says despite the criticism, the authority has done its due diligence on the project and is excited about it.

"It meets transit ridership demand now, and well into the future, which is a fantastic thing," Gill said."It really is conducive to transforming these corridors into connected, livable, vibrant communities."

Construction is expected to take up to four years.

With files from Jon Hernandez.