UBC, First Nations, City of Vancouver join forces to push for SkyTrain extension to university - Action News
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British Columbia

UBC, First Nations, City of Vancouver join forces to push for SkyTrain extension to university

The UBC extension would cost an estimated $3.8 billion in 2018 dollars, withcompletion expected by 2030. It would extend the planned Broadway Subway Line, which will connect VCC-Clarkstation to Arbutus Street and is expected to open in 2025.

Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Development Corp. advocating for $3.8B line to Point Grey campus

Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart, UBC President Santa Ono and representatives from the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Development Corp. are joining forces to advocate for a SkyTrain extension to UBC. (Ben Nelms/CBC)

The City of Vancouver, UBC and the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Development Corporation are joining forces to advocate for the completion of a SkyTrain line all the way to the university's Point Grey campus as soon as possible.

The three parties, including Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart and UBCpresident Santa Ono, say they intend to press all levels of government to fund the project.

"The way I look at it is, what is the best thing we can do for this region in terms of transportation? This is the project," said Stewart.

Last February, theMetro Vancouver Mayors' Council on Regional Transportationvoted in favour of extendingSkyTrainserviceto the Point Grey campus.

Chief Leah George-Wilson of the Tsleil-Waututh First Nation speaks at a news conference supporting the extension of SkyTrain to UBC in Vancouver on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020. (Maggie MacPherson/CBC)

Tsleil-Waututh Chief Leah George-Wilson said the partnership is an important step in reconciliation.

"Relationship building is really important," saidGeorge-Wilson. "First Nations have always been willing to work with governments. We are here."

UBC is currently served by the 99 B-Line, which is the busiest bus route in Canada and the United States, according to a reportsubmitted to the Mayors' Council, moving 60,000 riders a day.

The report said SkyTrainis the only transportation option that can provide sufficient capacity to meet demand on the route beyond 2045.

Advocates for UBC SkyTrain want the soon-to-be-built Broadway Millennium line extended beyond Arbutus Street to the Point Grey campus. (City of Vancouver)

A line to UBC would extend the planned Broadway Subway Line, which will connect VCC-Clarkstation to Arbutus Street and is expected to open in 2025.

The UBC extension comes with an estimated price tag of$3.8 billion in 2018 dollars, withcompletion expected by 2030.