LRT construction in Surrey would close roads, disrupt local businesses
- Media Release
-
- For immediate release — April 12, 2016
SkyTrain for Surrey is raising concerns about the City of Surrey’s claims of “minimal” construction impacts from on‑street Light Rail Transit, after finding that statements made by the City’s Rapid Transit Manager significantly understate what LRT construction actually involves.
In an interview with Business in Vancouver, City of Surrey Rapid Transit Manager Paul Lee suggested that LRT construction would be relatively unobtrusive, saying: “We won’t be digging a big hole; we will be laying tracks so people will continue to have access to the businesses while this is ongoing.” But this characterization is misleading.
Actual photos and videos of LRT construction across North America show city streets shut down from edge to edge for rebuilding.
Before any rail can be installed, underground utilities must be excavated and relocated so they remain accessible for future maintenance without shutting down LRT service. The roadway itself must be widened, regraded, and rebuilt to accommodate pedestrians, cyclists, vehicles, and buses alongside the new tracks. These requirements routinely lead to full edge‑to‑edge street closures lasting weeks or even months, and businesses along those corridors experienced prolonged construction impacts, reduced access, and significant disruption.
LRT construction also requires additional property acquisitions along both sides of the corridor—a factor Paul Lee previously acknowledged as contributing to a $500 million cost increase for Surrey’s LRT proposal. These land requirements, combined with long-duration full road closures, represent major risks for local businesses.
SkyTrain construction proven to cause less disruption
By contrast, an elevated SkyTrain extension on Fraser Highway would fit within a narrower right‑of‑way and cause far less disruption. Much of the guideway is fabricated off‑site, with on‑site assembly limited to installing pre‑built segments. The Evergreen Line’s construction on Coquitlam’s North Road is a clear example: the elevated structure was installed quickly and did not require full street closures.
SkyTrain for Surrey is also advocating for Bus Rapid Transit on King George Blvd. and the “L Line” corridor, which could be built more gradually and with far less construction impacts—while offering superior safety and reliability over at-grade trains.
Pictured in header: LRT construction in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario—showing edge-to-edge street shut down for construction
SkyTrain for Surrey is a BC-based community organization that has advocated for the expansion of the Vancouver SkyTrain system, including our successful advocacy for the under-construction Surrey Langley SkyTrain extension.
Media Contact: Daryl Dela Cruz – Founder, SkyTrain for Surrey ・ Phone: +1 604 329 3529, [email protected]
