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Vancouver is set to see a significant upgrade in its transit network with the Broadway Subway Project, a 5.7-kilometer extension of the Millennium Line from VCC-Clark Station to Broadway and Arbutus. More than just an infrastructure upgrade— this project is an economic driver that will reshape mobility, commerce, and urban development in one of Canada’s fastest-growing metropolitan areas. Executive Project Director Lauren Matthias underscores the project’s significance, telling Business Elite Canada, “The Broadway Subway Project will provide fast, frequent, and convenient SkyTrain service to B.C.’s second-largest jobs centre, health services, an emerging innovation and research hub, and growing residential communities.” With the new extension, a trip from VCC-Clark to Arbutus will take just 11 minutes, reducing commute times by nearly 30 minutes per day. The project aims to alleviate congestion along Broadway, one of the busiest transit corridors in North America, where overcrowded buses often struggle to meet demand. 3
A NEW ERA IN VANCOUVER’S TRANSIT INFRASTRUCTURE The Broadway Subway Project is a game-changer in regional transportation, seamlessly integrating with Metro Vancouver’s transit network. A 700meter elevated guideway extends from VCC-Clark Station before transitioning underground at Great Northern Way. From there, twin tunnels run five kilometers beneath the Broadway Corridor, linking six new underground stations. These stations will not only improve access to the SkyTrain system but also provide a direct underground connection to the Canada Line at Cambie Street. “This extension will replace a portion of the existing 99 B-Line bus route, which is currently one of the busiest in North America. The new subway will have the capacity to move more than three times as many people as the B-Line on opening day,” says Matthias. This increased capacity is crucial, given that Metro Vancouver’s population is projected to grow by one million people by 2050. By 2030, the Broadway Subway is expected to handle between 143,000 and 163,000 passengers daily, rising to nearly 191,000 by 2045. ECONOMIC RIPPLE EFFECTS: JOBS, GROWTH, AND PRODUCTIVITY Beyond improving transit, the Broadway Subway Project is a significant economic catalyst. Throughout its construction, it is expected to 4
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generate approximately 13,450 direct and indirect jobs, spanning engineering, station construction, tunneling, and project management. It’s not just about the workers on-site, there are employment benefits within the supply chain as well— businesses, from local coffee shops to construction equipment suppliers, see increased demand. The project’s economic impact extends far beyond employment. “We undertook a comprehensive business case analysis which estimates the Broadway Subway will generate nearly $3 billion in benefits, including travel time savings, reductions in commuting costs, environmental improvements, and urban development,” says Matthias. This investment ensures the long-term viability of the Broadway Corridor, a crucial east-west route for goods movement. BUSINESS CONTINUITY Executing a major infrastructure project in a dense urban environment presents a unique set of challenges. The Broadway Corridor is one of Vancouver’s most dynamic areas, with 500,000 daily pedestrians, 80,000 vehicles, 3,000 cyclists, and 850 buses. Moreover, this area includes 125,000 residents and over 1,500 commercial businesses within a two-block radius. To minimize disruption, two tunnel boring machines (TBMs), nicknamed Elsie and Phyllis, were deployed Aerial view of Great Northern Way-Emily Carr Station (Photo Credit – TranBC) 6
quattroconstructors.com info@quattroconstructors.com Your Go-To Infrastructure Partner Quattro Constructors is proud to have contributed to the Broadway Subway Project through the construction of the temporary traffic decks and excavation support structures. Crew walkway installation at Mount Pleasant Station (Photo Credit – TranBC) 7
Aerial view of the elevated guideway (Photo Credit – TranBC) Surveying the SkyTrain Tunnels at Arbutus Station (Photo Credit – TranBC) 8
to construct the twin tunnels beneath Broadway. These TBMs successfully navigated a complex web of underground utilities and even passed beneath the operating Canada Line without service interruptions. Once tunneling was completed in spring 2024, crews shifted their focus to track installation and station construction. Maintaining business continuity was a priority. Before construction even began, project representatives engaged with more than 2,500 businesses to address concerns. Matthias describes the proactive approach: “We know construction is disruptive, which is why we continually work closely with businesses on mitigations to reduce these impacts where we can—from power-washing sidewalks and cleaning windows to installing directional signage and temporary murals on construction fencing.” Matthias adds, “All of us involved in the Broadway Subway Project appreciate the community’s patience and willingness to work with us throughout the construction phase.” A critical engineering solution was the introduction of traffic decks at station sites—four-lane-wide structures allowing road traffic to continue flowing above while excavation and construction take place below. At Arbutus Station, the largest traffic deck consists of 58 columns and 29 girders supporting 148 road panels. This innovation has kept Broadway’s commercial heartbeat alive during construction. Track installation at Great Northern Way-Emily Carr Station (Photo Credit – TranBC) 9
Speed swing machine near Great Northern Way-Emily Carr Station (Photo Credit – TranBC) Concourse level at Great Northern Way-Emily Carr Station (Photo Credit – TranBC) 10
THE FUTURE OF GREEN TRANSIT Sustainability is at the core of the Broadway Subway Project, aligning with British Columbia’s CleanBC initiative. By shifting commuters from personal vehicles to public transit, the project is projected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 175,000 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent between 2030 and 2054. In addition to direct emissions reductions, the project has adopted several environmental initiatives. The contractor participates in Vancouver’s Adopt-A-Catch Basin program, keeping neighborhood storm drains clear of debrisand has introduced a Waste-to-Energy program, diverting construction waste from landfills and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. These measures reflect a broader commitment to sustainable infrastructure development. A landmark example is the integration of South Granville Station into a 39-story mixed-use development—the first time in Vancouver’s history that a new SkyTrain station has been incorporated into a newly built high-rise. Similarly, Great Northern Way-Emily Carr Station is expected to anchor future developments. To accommodate future growth, all new station entrances feature "knock-out" panels that allow for seamless integration with upcoming urban projects. Crews at Broadway-City Hall Station build the station platform (Photo Credit – TranBC) 11
Future Great Northern Way-Emily Carr Station site and transition box (Photo Credit – TranBC) Imprint of maple leaf with special edition Loonie featuring Elsie MacGill (Photo Credit – TranBC) 12
LONG-TERM IMPACT Community engagement has played a key role in shaping the Broadway Subway Project. Since the planning phase, public feedback has influenced station designs and construction strategies. “From November 2020 to May 2021, we conducted two rounds of public consultation on station design. We also maintain ongoing engagement with the neighbourhood, ensuring we address concerns and adapt our approach as needed,” says Matthias. Once operational, the Broadway Subway will provide a one-seat ride from Lafarge-Lake Douglas in Coquitlam to Arbutus, significantly improving connectivity across Metro Vancouver. This expansion will ease congestion in other parts of the SkyTrain network, allowing commuters to transfer between the Canada Line and Expo and Millennium Lines along Broadway instead of traveling downtown. The Broadway Subway Project is more than just an infrastructure upgrade—it is a cornerstone of Vancouver’s long-term economic and urban development strategy. By improving transit accessibility, reducing congestion, and supporting business growth, it will drive economic prosperity for decades to come. As Matthias puts it, “This project is a significant investment in Vancouver’s future. It is going to be a meaningful contributor to a more connected, efficient, and sustainable city.” To learn more, please visit www.broadwaysubway.ca 13
As seen in BusinessEliteCanada.com www.broadwaysubway.ca
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