Full steam ahead this December

Evergreen extension announces opening date

By Mercedes Deutscher, News Editor

The Evergreen Line extension will be open to the public starting December 2, announced Port Coquitlam-Coquitlam MLA Linda Reimer on November 7.

Communities affected by the opening of the Evergreen extension remain excited leading up to its opening.

“As a resident of this Tri-Cities community I understand how important this $1.43 billion rapid transit project is going to be for families, businesses, students, and visitors to our area,” Reimer said to CBC. “This major construction milestone has been greatly anticipated by so many people.”

The December opening comes as a pleasant surprise to many. Due to several issues in the construction process, such as sinkholes and blockages in tunnel boring, the Evergreen extension was at one time delayed to open in summer 2017.

The new line will run as an extension of the Millennium Line, starting at Lougheed Station and ending at Lafarge Lake-Douglas. The extension adds six new stops to the SkyTrain network. Two of these stops—Moody Centre and Coquitlam Central—also offer interchanges with the West Coast Express.

TransLink will be dispatching staff to assist passengers in navigating the Evergreen Line, starting from November 22 through December.

“This is probably the most exciting day we’ve had here in 150 years or so. December 2, one of the great days that will stand out in the history of Port Moody,” Port Moody Mayor Mike Clay said to CBC.