No. H043/11
For release - June 17, 2011
Work begins on second Scott Road Station elevator
SURREY, BRITISH COLUMBIA — Construction is now underway on a new accessible elevator on the west side of the Scott Road Station. The project was officially launched today by Russ Hiebert, Member of Parliament for South Surrey-White Rock–Cloverdale; the Honourable Stephanie Cadieux, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Surrey-Panorama; and Fred Cummings, president and general manager of BC Rapid Transit Company.
They were joined by Al Cleaver, former Surrey fire chief and former member of the Access Transit Users Advisory Committee, who has been an energetic advocate for the new elevator for many years.
Scheduled for completion in 2012, the $5.1-million project is being funded by the Government of Canada, under the Building Canada Fund; the Province of British Columbia through the Provincial Transit Plan; and TransLink. The glass-and-steel construction is similar to the type used when Commercial-Broadway Station was renovated and upgraded in 2009, and will help Scott Road meet Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design guidelines.
"The Government of Canada is pleased to be investing in this important upgrade that will improve accessibility for transit users at the Scott Road Station," said MP Hiebert. "Together with our partners, we are working to provide accessible, safe and secure public transit for all Canadians."
"This improvement at Scott Road is another step to making the entire transit system accessible to all commuters," said MLA Cadieux. "I congratulate TransLink, Al Cleaver and other members of the committee for making this project a reality."
"Installing a west-side elevator at Scott Road Station was the number one priority identified in our consultations with the Access Transit Users Advisory Committee," said Mr. Cummings. "As the station grew into a transit exchange, the bus loop was separated from the accessible entrance by a roadway, and TransLink has had to call for a cab to take these customers from the buses to the elevator. Now we can take another step to make the system accessible for all."
The Government of Canada's contribution of up to $1.7 million to this project is provided through the Building Canada Fund that supports economic growth in British Columbia and across Canada. Canada's Economic Action Plan has provided for almost $12 billion in new infrastructure stimulus investment over two years and accelerated the $33-billion Building Canada Plan, addressing the needs in communities across Canada and contributing to long-term economic growth through investments in public infrastructure.
TransLink's Access Transit Users Advisory Committee was formed in 2007 after a two-year review of public transit accessibility in Metro Vancouver. The committee provides oversight of policies and procedures affecting persons with disabilities throughout the TransLink family. It carries on the commitment made in 1989 by TransLink's predecessor, BC Transit, to move towards full accessibility. That objective was achieved on the TransLink fleet in 2008, and the number of accessible bus stops in Metro Vancouver has climbed in the past year to more than 58 per cent.
The project is part of the OnTrack program, re-investing in maintaining and upgrading the system during SkyTrain's 25th anniversary. Other elements of the program include replacing the running rails and power rails, and preparing stations for the installation of faregates and the inauguration of the Compass Card in 2013. Visit www.translink.ca/ontrack for more information.
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