COQUITLAM –Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon and TransLink chair Dale Parker announced today that the Evergreen Rapid Transit Line will be constructed on the northwest route, connecting Lougheed Town Centre with Coquitlam Town Centre through Port Moody.

            “On Feb. 1, when we joined with TransLink to release the Evergreen Line Business Case, we asked the mayors and councils in the northeast sector for their feedback on the outlined route options for the Evergreen Line,” said Falcon. “Municipal councils in Port Moody, Port Coquitlam, Coquitlam, Burnaby, New Westminster and Belcarra have all voiced their support for the northwest route.”

“We certainly heard loud and clear from the very communities which the Evergreen Line is meant to serve,” said Parker. “The northwest corridor has not only technical advantages, but also widespread public and local government support. We now need to roll up our sleeves and get the project built.”

            As announced in February, the Evergreen Line will use advanced light rapid transit (ALRT), technology, which is automated and separated from traffic.

“Now that we have decided on routing and technology for the Evergreen Line, we can proceed with project development and engineering to keep on track for planned 2014 completion,” said Falcon. “This important stage will include detailed procurement analysis and further environmental assessment work, including broad public consultation.”

            One of the first orders of business will be the location and establishment of an Evergreen Line Project office in the Coquitlam area. The project partners will work from this new office to proceed with project development, preliminary design and detailed design, all entailing extensive, meaningful consultation with neighbourhood residents, businesses, and other stakeholders.

            The Evergreen Line is an estimated $1.4-billion project. Through its recent Transit Plan, the B.C. government has committed to investing $410 million in the project, and TransLink has committed $400 million to date. Through the Public Transit Capital Trust 2008, the Government of Canada has provided $67 million to the Province for public transit infrastructure, and these funds will be dedicated to the Evergreen Line.

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