The provincial government is facing yet another multibillion-dollar cost overrun for an infrastructure project having announced Thursday the Surrey-Langley SkyTrain extension will cost an additional $2 billion.
The new line is now expected to cost a hair under $6 billion, as opposed to the $3.94 billion it was expected to cost in July 2022.
Also, the Ministry of Transportation stated in a news release, the line's completion date will be “late 2029” as opposed to 2028.
Glacier Media has asked the ministry where the additional tax dollars will come from, as the previous budget had pencilled in $2.4 billion from the province and $1.3 billion from the federal government, with the rest coming from municipalities. The ministry responded Aug. 16 that the extra $2 billion will be covered by the provincial government.
“Like all public- and private-sector infrastructure projects, the Surrey Langley SkyTrain project is being delivered during a time of significant market challenges in British Columbia, across Canada and around the world.
“The cost of the project, now $5.996 billion, has been updated in response to market conditions, including rising inflation costs and key commodity escalation, supply-chain pressures and labour-market challenges. This has resulted in higher price proposals from contractors,” the ministry stated.
The SkyTrain line was chosen over a $1.65-billion light rail line looping through Surrey after former mayor Doug McCallum objected to the latter while gathering support for the former.
The announcement included disclosure of three contractors to work on the elevated rapid transit line that will connect people between Langley City and Surrey Centre in 22 minutes.
SkyLink Guideway Partners (SLGP) will design, build and finance the elevated guideway and associated roadworks, utilities and active transportation elements. SLGP is comprised of: Dragados Canada Inc., Ledcor Investments Inc. and Ledcor Mining Ltd.
South Fraser Station Partners (SFSP), which will build the eight new stations, is comprised of: Aecon Constructors, a division of Aecon Construction Group Inc., Acciona Infrastructure Canada Inc. and Pomerleau BC Inc.
Transit Integrators BC (TIBC), which will design and build the systems and trackwork, is comprised of: AtkinsRéalis Major Projects Inc., AtkinsRéalis Canada Inc. and Western Pacific Enterprises Ltd.
AtkinsRealis is the rebranded name of SNC-Lavalin, the company that pleaded guilty to high-profile criminal bribery charges and that which built and operates the Canada Line.
The ministry has yet to provide cost updates for the Broadway subway line and Pattullo Bridge despite recent announcements those projects have been delayed.
Numerous hospitals that are either under construction or in planning stages have also faced large cost increases into the billions of dollars.
This article was updated Aug. 19 to include a statement from the ministry on costs
