Latest Surrey LRT plans shown to business leaders, with aim of getting them on board

By

SURREY (NEWS 1130) – As Surrey rapidly heads toward becoming BC’s largest city, plans for an LRT are slowly coming together.

Phase 1 funded by federal and provincial money for initial plans should begin in 2018 but they’re still figuring out funding for the second phase, construction.

A carbon tax has been proposed to help pay for the street level transit connecting Surrey City Centre, Guildford, and Newton.

As a businessman, Stan Schaefer with Anti-Slip Anywhere is all for the project, but as someone who lives in Surrey, he has concerns.

“I’m next to a park and it’s a very quiet area. It’s about to get a lot busier because of the new roads going in and traffic operation signals and so on. I don’t like that so much.”

There is some concern as to why a SkyTrain system or subway is not being considered instead.

A cost estimate before the province includes a portion of funding from a carbon tax. We should get our first peek at that in the next couple months.

Alaudin Mamun with AMC Accounting says he doesn’t like the idea of a carbon tax but understands some sacrifices will have to be made.

“I know we have to get some pain if we want to relieve some pain.”

Puneet Sandhar with Sangera Sandhar Law Group says it’s encouraging to know the feds and province have already promised funds.

“Whether or not this is the right project is a different question. But if it is the right project, it would be a shame if it not able to go ahead just because of funding.”

The first phase of the South of Fraser Rapid Transit Network is a 10.5km Surrey LRT that would have 11 stops and run every 5 minutes.

Some are concerned the trains stopping so often will worsen vehicle traffic in an already congested city.

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today