UBCx - Millennium Line Extension Arbutus to UBC | Proposed

[mcj]

Originally Posted by madog222

BIRT as Skytrain? Decades away.
BIRT as BRT? Likely in service before UBCx on the current bridge.

If you count the R2 extension as BIRT, then it will likely be in service before the first leg of the Broadway subway is opened.

[chowhou]

The R2 extension deserves no acknowledgement as any sort of BIRT.

We may as well say that UBCx is already completed. The 99 runs to UBC doesn't it?

[madog222]

Originally Posted by mcj

If you count the R2 extension as BIRT

No, I wasn't, and Translink has been clear they don't eigther.

[idunno]

Great that the R2 extension got funded in any case. Time to change all the system maps again!

[svlt]

New push for Skytrain extension to UBC campus

[Mac Write]

We need 100% funding commitment mid 2026 construction to start in late 2027/early 2028 opening in 2031/32. Also the SFU Gondola needs to be under construction before end of 2027. Metrotown to Brentwood also needs to be un construction in less then 4 years. then we can breath.

[mcj]

Originally Posted by RedArbutus

Honestly I've been half-wondering why they didn't just go with cut and cover if the bored tunnel route had this much disruption and closure anyway. If you have businesses complaining non-stop regardless, might as well save a cool $1-2 billion and cut and cover over a few years....?

Moving to the UBCx thread.

This is what will need to happen to keep UBCx from getting out of hand on a $ per km basis like the Arbutus extension did. Will be interesting to see what the business case assumes.

[MalcolmTucker]

Originally Posted by mcj

Moving to the UBCx thread.

This is what will need to happen to keep UBCx from getting out of hand on a $ per km basis like the Arbutus extension did. Will be interesting to see what the business case assumes.

The tunnel itself doesn't cost a huge amount more, it is given ground conditions, how shallow can you make the station boxes with a bored tunnel.

I think with how the route goes 'cross country' a bit, boring is assumed.

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by mcj

Moving to the UBCx thread.

This is what will need to happen to keep UBCx from getting out of hand on a $ per km basis like the Arbutus extension did. Will be interesting to see what the business case assumes.

In 2019 it was estimated to be $2.83bn. It's now $2.95bn. That doesn't seem to have got out of hand? For 5.7km, mostly in bored tunnels, it's $518m/km. For comparison, where there's no tunneling, the Surrey-Langley line is currently estimated at $5.996bn or $375/km.

Building infrastructure isn't cheap almost anywhere in North America these days. If you look at the worldwide dataset, we're well below the most expensive.

[dleung]

Just a reminder, that UBC is by far the country's largest university campus to lack rapid transit. York University, surrounded by industrial park, has 2 palatial stations. Both the University of Ottawa and Carlton University have rapid transit. Even the University of Alberta in Edmonton has rapid transit, complete with a 2nd station for its south campus! It's an outrage that they'd go through the trouble of an extension and not bring it to the single biggest destination that would make the extension worthwhile. Make it an election issue!

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by dleung

Just a reminder, that UBC is by far the country's largest university campus to lack rapid transit. York University, surrounded by industrial park, has 2 palatial stations. Both the University of Ottawa and Carlton University have rapid transit. Even the University of Alberta in Edmonton has rapid transit, complete with a 2nd station for its south campus! It's an outrage that they'd go through the trouble of an extension and not bring it to the single biggest destination that would make the extension worthwhile. Make it an election issue!

Is SFU the 2nd largest then?

[mcj]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

Is SFU the 2nd largest then?

By enrollment based on the Wiki page, it would be the University of Western Ontario in London. McMaster would currently be the third (although they will have an LRT soon-ish, usually I wouldn't count LRTs as "rapid" transit but for this I will). Laval (also getting a LRT), Queen's, Guelph, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and UVic all have larger enrollment than SFU without any better-than-a-bus transit.

[mcj]

Originally Posted by Changing City

In 2019 it was estimated to be $2.83bn. It's now $2.95bn. That doesn't seem to have got out of hand? For 5.7km, mostly in bored tunnels, it's $518m/km. For comparison, where there's no tunneling, the Surrey-Langley line is currently estimated at $5.996bn or $375/km.

Building infrastructure isn't cheap almost anywhere in North America these days. If you look at the worldwide dataset, we're well below the most expensive.

Point taken, the Broadway Subway is very much in hand cost wise. I like that website, very informative that we're landing somewhere in the realm of expected costs.

[SpongeG]

Poll shows big support for SkyTrain to UBC

22 Apr 2026 #canadiannews #ctvnationalnews #ctvnews
The Millennium line SkyTrain expansion is set to open later next year, and the end of the line will be nearly seven kilometres away from UBC.

• Video Link

[djh]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

Poll shows big support for SkyTrain to UBC

22 Apr 2026 #canadiannews #ctvnationalnews #ctvnews
The Millennium line SkyTrain expansion is set to open later next year, and the end of the line will be nearly seven kilometres away from UBC.

• Video Link

I mean... how many ways do we all need to be told the same thing?

[Mac Write]

And the UBC station needs to e designed to have the 41st Ave Skytrain connect into the station. which will be an extension of the purple line.

[jollyburger]

Survey companies need to make money?

I mean of course they need to do geotechnical work/develop a business case. But it seems pretty obvious it'll be built at some point but good luck finding funding for it.

[gaviscon]

I'm not sure which is worse.

A quick subway commute to Broadway/Arbutus and then having to transfer into a jam-packed bus to UBC

vs

Having to get off at Broadway/Commercial and 99 to UBC

If I went back to being a student I think I'd rather just bus from Downtown even with the new Broadway Extension coming online.

[Migrant_Coconut]

The 99's actually a fairly smooth ride west of Arbutus (not counting the logjam at Alma)... for now.

Either way, I'm guessing any funding will have to wait for the existing extension to be a proven success - as far as the feds are concerned, it's just another subway.

[Tvisforme]

Originally Posted by gaviscon

I'm not sure which is worse.

A quick subway commute to Broadway/Arbutus and then having to transfer into a jam-packed bus to UBC

vs

Having to get off at Broadway/Commercial and 99 to UBC

If I went back to being a student I think I'd rather just bus from Downtown even with the new Broadway Extension coming online.

Shouldn't the question be:

A quick subway commute to Broadway/Arbutus and then having to transfer into a jam-packed bus to UBC

vs

Having to get off at Broadway/Commercial and then having to transfer into a jam-packed bus to UBC