There has been more than a few questions about the odd conceptual routing of the extension of SkyTrain in Surrey. Based on the image provided by the province, SkyTrain was to run along 96th Ave, then cut through a neighbourhood, finally reaching 88th Ave and Fraser. It was a terrible alignment, attempting a half assed connection to Guildford, and then leaving the new terminus smack dab at one of the busiest intersections on Fraser in the Fleetwood community.
According to both an article in the Now, and Kevin’s recent speech to the Langley Chamber of Commerce, the alignment shown in the image is not the actual one being proposed by the government. How much of this is Kevin personal opinion versus actual an government decision is not at all known (although what is the difference these days?).
He says the 6km extension will leave King George Station north to 104th Ave, turn south down 152nd St, and then run east down Fraser Hwy to 168th St.
Furthermore, and again I have no idea if this is just his vision, but he said that by 2030, we would see two more SkyTrain extensions:
- From the new terminus in Fleetwood, the Expo Line would continue along Fraser Hwy to Willowbrook in Langley
- From King George Station, a new branch would run south along King George Hwy to 64th Ave.
Click the image below to view the interactive Google Map.
All things considered, despite SkyTrain’s expensive cost, if the government is willing to pay for it, I’m happy. And with the “conceptual alignment” controversy being ironed out, the new proposed route will actually serve Surrey quite well.
Connections between Downtown Surrey and Guildford are quite popular and the route along 104th is currently quite busy. Guildford is still one of the largest malls in the region, and considering stations at malls are one of the mainstays of SkyTrain, it’s a good thing the route is going to hit it.
152nd St, between 104th and Fraser, is also a very busy route and will benefit from the SkyTrain. Furthermore, 152nd St is the other main road (King George is #1) that residents from South Surrey and White Rock take to get to North Surrey. Having a major hub at 152nd and Fraser will be great for these transit users, giving them an option between hopping SkyTrain from here, or taking a RapidBus to the Canada Line (assuming their destination is Vancouver).
Then of course, having the new terminus at 168th St, just before a major hill and dropoff into agricultural land, is a way better plan. This will allow for very fast connections from my community of Cloverdale as well as a very short route to Langley (basically through the agricultural land, a small community, then you’re there).
The unfortunate side of these new details is the current wait time for SkyTrain down King George. It’s always been the busiest route in Surrey, and I would personally say a SkyTrain connection to Newton would probably be a better short term improvement, despite all the newfound connections the other extension will provide to eastern and southernly communities. Also, the King George route has far more potential for transit oriented development.
Actually, Kevin, why not do both? Then, I’ll embrace your autocracy as something profoundly wonderful and will praise the road you walk on!
When I saw the map with the “conceptual” alignment, I knew that didn’t look right, so thanks for clarifying this. The 104/152/Fraser routing does match that of busy route 320, so if Falcon’s on the mark, then this Expo extension can be very helpful for Surrey.
I was confused about the alignment too. I think it would be better to take skytrain down KGH, AND, take it down fraser highway with a nexus / junction @ either King George station or City Centre Station… otherwise, I’m reasonably impressed by the plan… now let’s find the money…
Dude, it stops at 168th? Sweet! Although… I still think they should use the less expensive, less intrusive LRT.
I’m much more comfortable with this alignment. Thank you!
Soon after my last comment (I was at work) I realised that by the time this is done I’ll probably live in Langley… but it’ll still help. 2030 just isn’t an acceptable timeline though for these extensions. I’m happy to hear there’s something beyond rapid bus coming and they’re certainly moving in the right direction, getting funding and all that, but I think there are political motivations behind the techonology. Obviously it’s convenient to use the same one but at what cost? Who knows what direction land use will take without something leaner, sooner.
I somewhat agree with you Erika. If there’s ever been one time to switch out of SkyTrain, now is it. Sure, the UBC and Evergreen Lines make sense as SkyTrain, but if we extend it further into Surrey, it will be expected that any rapid transit in the Valley is SkyTrain.
Frankly, LRT is cheaper and far more attractive to the urban landscape than SkyTrain ever will be. And there’s no reason why it has to be all that much slower. Just need a dedicated right of way.
And the province can’t put SkyTrain to Fleetwood, then switch to LRT for Langley. If we ever switch we do it now. And it doesn’t look like that’s what is going to happen *sigh*
2030 seems awhile away, I have a personal rule of not taking political goals to heart that promise anything after a period of time longer than 1.5 terms of provincial or federal gov’t.
I do think there’s enough ridership, including driver’s parking at skystrain stops, from Langely to warrant a train, “sky” or not. I’m still not used to the line ups on the #1 highway from Langely headed west(on the rare mornings I drive!).
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i find it stupid that they would pull it of King George and follow the red line for Langley they’d be better of making that a whole new line and pull it off central and then use the current King George line and built the other supposed line along King George off that one
instead of pulling both lines off that one stop
so basicly i’m saying
if its the
red line: use it off central
green line: go from King George
how on earth would they manage to match guideway design to the expo like that is 20 years outdated already for the extension?
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Now in a perfect world, the province could throw tons of funding into SkyTrain, run it to Langley Centre and then pull north to cross the Fraser and connect to the Evergreen Line (creating a direct connection, not so much a loop), and then continue the King George Highway expansion to the South Surrey Park and Ride, then bringing SkyTrain to Delta, and then connecting with the Canada Line (again, direct connection instead of loop). This is pure fantasy, though.
I’m happy with Kevin’s proposal running to Guildford, Fleetwood and Willowbrook, as well as the KGH line which is too close not to connect to Newton (a Kwantlen station is perfect as well), and from there perhaps SkyTrain can run out to Aldergrove. Someday. In a perfect world.