Fleetwood BIA makes false and misleading claims on SkyTrain noise and vibrations

SkyTrain for Surrey takes issue with statements made by Dean Barbour of the Fleetwood Business Improvement Association claiming that a SkyTrain extension would be a “noisy monstrosity” in Fleetwood.

A detailed noise and vibration assessment that was done for the Evergreen SkyTrain extension shows that SkyTrain does not create an increase in noise and vibrations when it is built along existing roadways.

The assessment – which assessed noise and vibrations for over 500 locations within 2 blocks of the SkyTrain alignment – found that only 15% of buildings assessed along the route would experience some sort of noise impact from day-to-day operations. 85% of assessed buildings would experience little to no impact.

It also noted that vibrations caused by passing trains on the elevated guideway would be lower than vibrations caused by passing vehicle and truck traffic.

A 2009 information sheet outlined several measures taken to reduce noise impacts from Evergreen operations, including the use of low-profile guideway noise barriers to lessen noise emanating from the wheels, rails and electric motors. We anticipate that similar measures will be taken to reduce such impacts on a future SkyTrain extension to Langley.

Evergreen Line Noise and Vibration Assessment FACT SHEET (PDF)

Evergreen Line – 2009 Potential Noise and Vibration INFO SHEET (PDF)