The year 2016 was notable for the long-awaited opening of the $1.4 billion extension to the Millennium Line touted as a "game changer" by Metro Vancouver chair and Port Coquitlam Mayor Greg Moore when it opened Dec. 2.
Commuters who usually take the bus or the West Coast Express, cyclists who want to be able to ride to a station and commute via SkyTrain and beleaguered car commuters were all looking forward to the opening.
But while the Dec. 2 launch was joyous with community celebrations, the reality of the first Monday commute during the season's first snow storm showed a system under pressure with long waits for trains and crowded platforms.
However, the approval of the mayors' 10-year transit plan in November, which will pump federal and provincial funding into transit (plus a $3 increase to property tax and a 10-cent fare hike in July, 2017) is expected to pay for new SkyTrain cars among other transit improvements.
There was also some grumbling about costs and delays. Although a technical briefing said the project came in under budget by between $70 and $85 million, and was only three months behind schedule, Coquitlam Maillardville MLA Selina Robinson said the project was delayed by years, not a few months, and the province's contribution had increased.
The BC Liberals fired back, asserting that without the province committing an additional $173 million the project wouldn't have been built.
Concerns were also raised about new bus routes implemented to take advantage of efficiencies with the Evergreen Extension, and new parking rules in Port Moody.
But new park and ride lots, including a 110-stall parking lot on Pinetree Way next to the Lafarge Lake-Douglas Station are expected to help with the parking situation.
Now all eyes turn to housing development along the line, with a new land use plan for Coronation Park near Inlet Centre expected soon and new developments along North Road in Coquitlam, including Lougheed Heights and the 49-storey tower proposed for the southwest corner of Como Lake Avenue and Clarke Road.
@dstrandbergTC
