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Canada, B.c. Celebrate Near Completion Of Canada Line


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This was posted on the main site, but just thought i'd throw the link in here...

For Immediate Release

2009OTP0057-000534

March 27, 2009

Office of the Premier

Government of Canada

CANADA, B.C. CELEBRATE NEAR COMPLETION OF CANADA LINE

VANCOUVER – The Canada Line is on track and will open by the Labour Day 2009 weekend, about

three months earlier than originally scheduled, British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell and the

Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway,

announced today.

The announcement was made as Premier Campbell, Minister Day, Transportation and Infrastructure

Minister Kevin Falcon, and project officials took part in a full system test of a Canada Line train today,

riding from Waterfront Station to YVR-Airport Station.

“I want to thank the thousands of people involved in the construction of the Canada Line for

their hard work and determination in getting this critical transit project completed as quickly as

possible,” said Premier Campbell. “The Canada Line will result in an estimated 200,000 less one-way

car trips every day as commuters choose this modern, convenient and efficient link between the

airport, Richmond and downtown Vancouver.”

“By investing in the Canada Line, our government is helping to improve public transit in one of

the Greater Vancouver Area’s busiest corridors,” said Minister Day. “This project, which is on budget

and ahead of schedule, is good news for our economy, our communities our tourism industry and will

help us host the world for the 2010 Olympic Games.”

Canada Line trains are currently travelling the complete length of the 19-kilometre line as part

of testing and commissioning of the system. Finishing work continues at all Canada Line stations and

the restoration of station sites is close to completion. The exact date for welcoming the public to the

Canada Line will be determined in the coming months.

“TransLink is delighted to have the showcase Canada Line open early in September for the

improved fall service implementation,” said TransLink CEO Tom Prendergast. “We are excited about

the additional capacity it will provide and pleased to be able to provide tourists the advantage of a

swift, highly reliable rapid transit trip linking the airport and downtown, something most cities cannot

do.”

“Today’s announcement means YVR passengers and Sea Island employees are three months

closer to enjoying this fast and convenient new transportation option to and from YVR,” said

Vancouver Airport Authority President and CEO Larry Berg. “The Canada Line will join a series of

capital expansion projects being completed at YVR in 2009, to help us continue to meet the needs of

our customers and in time for the 2010 Winter Games.”

The Canada Line will carry people between the centre of Richmond, or the Vancouver Airport,

YVR and Vancouver’s Waterfront Centre in 25 minutes or less.

- 2 -

The Government of Canada, the Province of British Columbia, the South Coast British

Columbia Transportation Authority (TransLink) and the Vancouver Airport Authority are proud

partners in the Canada Line, which is also supported by the cities of Vancouver and Richmond.

The Government of Canada’s $450 million contribution to the project is being managed under

the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund. The Province has provided $435 million towards the Canada

Line project.

The $2.054 billion project is on budget and ahead of schedule. The pending successful

completion of the Canada Line is a result of efforts of project partners InTransitBC, which designed,

built, and will operate and maintain the Canada Line, and Canada Line Rapid Transit Inc., a subsidiary

of TransLink, which oversees the project.

-30-

Contact: Bridgitte Anderson

Press Secretary

Office of the Premier

604 307-7177

Dave Crebo

Communications Director

Ministry of Transportation and

Infrastructure

250 387-7787

Media Relations

Transport Canada, Ottawa

613 993-0055

Chris Day

Press Secretary

Office of the Minister of Transport,

Infrastructure and Communities,

Ottawa

613 286-6064

Steve Crombie

InTransitBC

604 605-5997

Steve.Crombie@intransit.bc.ca

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