Surrey Light Rail Transit (LRT) is a new light rail network proposed to be constructed in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. To be developed in two phases, the 27km-long LRT will have the capacity to cater to the needs of local commuters over the next 30 years.
The first phase of the project will involve the construction of a 10.5km-long section between Newton, Surrey Central Station and Guildford, while the second phase will extend the line from Surrey to Langley Centre. Construction of the phase one is expected to start in 2018.
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The project is a part of the ten-year Translink investment plan to meet long-term ridership demand until 2045.
Surrey LRT phase one details
Phase one of Surrey LRT will be 10.5km-long line, which will start at the Newton Transit Exchange and continue to Surrey City Centre through King George Boulevard, and then along 104 Avenue and 102 Avenue before terminating at the Guildford Transit Exchange.
The LRT guideways will be built along the centre of 104 Avenue and King George Boulevard. They will include two at-grade LRT tracks, which will be approximately 7.9m-wide.
The line will feature 11 stops, seven of which will be regular LRT stops and the remaining will be connected to transit exchanges.
Surrey LRT phase two details
Phase two of the LRT line will be laid between King George Station and Langley City, along Fraser Highway.
It will be 16km-long with eight LRT stops, connecting from Surrey Central to Langley Centre with a short elevated segment over the Langley Bypass and CP Rail Corridor.
Surrey LRT infrastructure
The project will involve the development of major infrastructure, including LRT alignment and guideways, LRT stops, an operation and maintenance facility (OMF), as well as power, control and communication systems.
The platforms will initially be 40m-long and can be extended up to 60m. The side platforms will be up to 4m-wide, while the centre platforms will have a maximum width of 7.2m.
The OMF will be situated in Newton and include a control and administration building, a maintenance building, traction power substation, operator’s facility, service pits and yard track.
The LRT stops will be designed with minimal footprint and feature wind/rain shelters, lighting, surveillance systems, emergency call boxes and real-time wayfinding information systems.
Rolling stock
A fleet of articulated single unit vehicles is planned to be introduced on the LRT system. Each 30m-long vehicle will have the capacity to carry more than 200 passengers.
The LRT vehicles will be powered by direct current (DC) motors fed by an overhead catenary system, which will be supplied from eight substations of 1MW each, connected to the BC Hydro distribution system.
The LRT service with headway of five minutes is expected to be replace 96 B-Line transit services.
It will cover the 10.5km distance between Newton and Guildford terminals in approximately 27 minutes.
Benefits of Surrey light rail
The light rail project is expected to reduce congestion, increase transit network capacity and protect the environment while improving connectivity along major routes in the city.
The project is expected to create 3,500 direct jobs and 2,000 indirect jobs. It is also anticipated to support the creation of highly-skilled jobs in the fields of education, technology and health services.
Contractors involved
McElhanney Consulting Services and Stewart Group Strategic Consulting were contracted to provide advisory services for the project.
WestPro was awarded a $5m contract to replace the existing Bear Creek Bridge. The contract included the demolition of the existing bridge, installation of piles and deck, road widening, and associated improvements.
Construction began in January 2018 and is expected to take approximately ten months to complete.
