The Evergreen Line Project Agreement: A Step Towards Improved Transit in Metro Vancouver
On December 16th, 2013, the British Columbia government announced plans to enter into a project agreement with the private sector for the construction and operation of the Evergreen Line Project in Metro Vancouver. The announcement marked a significant milestone in the region`s transportation history, as the project aims to bring rapid transit to various parts of the region, connecting communities and reducing traffic congestion.
The Evergreen Line Project is a 16-kilometer-long rapid transit line that will connect Coquitlam City Centre to Vancouver via Port Moody, Burnaby, and New Westminster. It has been a long time in the making, with initial proposals for the line dating back to the 1990s. The project is expected to be completed in 2016 and will serve a growing population of more than 500,000 people in the communities it serves.
The project agreement between the British Columbia government and the private sector is a public-private partnership (PPP) arrangement. PPPs are becoming increasingly popular in Canada, as they offer cost savings and risk sharing between the public and private sectors. In the case of the Evergreen Line Project, the private sector will design, build, finance and operate the rapid transit line, while the public sector will retain ownership of the assets.
The PPP agreement for the Evergreen Line Project involves the construction and operation of the line by a consortium of companies known as the EGRT Construction (“Evergreen Line Rapid Transit Group”). The consortium includes SNC-Lavalin, Graham Building Services, MMM Group, and others in the engineering, construction and financial sectors.
The consortium will be responsible for all aspects of the project, including design, construction, financing, and maintenance of the line and its facilities. The government will make payments to the consortium over a period of 30 years, following the line`s completion.
Benefits of the Evergreen Line Project
The Evergreen Line Project is expected to bring many benefits to the Metro Vancouver region. It will create new jobs during the construction phase and improve connections between communities, reducing traffic congestion and promoting sustainable transportation options.
The project is also expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 400,000 tonnes over the next 30 years, as it provides a cleaner and more efficient mode of transportation. The line will provide rapid transit to communities that currently lack it, promoting economic development and attracting new businesses to the region.
In conclusion, the Evergreen Line Project Agreement is a critical step towards improving transportation in Metro Vancouver. It is an example of a successful public-private partnership, bringing together the resources and expertise of both the public and private sectors to deliver a much-needed transportation solution for the region. The project will provide many benefits to the community, promoting economic development, reducing traffic congestion, and improving sustainability in the region. Its completion will mark a significant moment in the history of Metro Vancouver`s transportation infrastructure.