COQUITLAM (NEWS1130) - We finally know when construction will start on the Evergreen Line. The provincial government expect to have shovels in the ground by the end of next summer.
BC's Transportation Minister made the announcement after meeting with Metro Vancouver mayors this morning.
They're still not sure exactly how they're going to pay for the entire 1.2 billion project yet but Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart says the important thing is they're no longer wondering when the Evergreen Line will get built.
"We've waited for 25 years here in Coquitlam and the time has come to put a shovel in the ground. Having a date in the calendar, having the funding commitments all in place, this is gratifying news."
A 2-cent per litre gas tax is expected to raise about 40 million dollars that will be put toward the Evergreen Line and other transit projects.
How Metro Vancouver will raise the rest of the money without jacking up property taxes still hasn't been decided.