Is the Evergreen Line finally coming to the Tri-Cites?

Local, provincial and federal politicians gathered at Port Moody Station Wednesday morning to announce the first two contracts awarded for pre-construction work, which is expected to begin in upcoming weeks.

Langley-based Pedre Contractors Ltd. will install new underground power lines in Port Moody and Coquitlam. These lines will provide power to build the tunnel and to operate the Evergreen Line.

Meanwhile, Hans Demolition and Excavating will remove three vacant buildings - two in Coquitlam and one in Burnaby.

Other pre-construction work will include widening roads, relocating hydro and natural gas lines, realigning railway tracks and removing other vacant buildings. Contracts will be awarded and work will occur over the next several months.

Port Moody-Westwood-Coquitlam MP James Moore told the crowd that during last year's federal and municipal election campaigns, many residents questioned whether the Evergreen Line would ever be built.

"We're here today to announce that, yes, it is happening. Yes, the progress is happening," Moore said.

"Contracts are being signed. Ground is being broken. We are moving forward and this project is going to happen."

Member B.C. transportation minister Blair Lekstrom concurred, calling Wednesday a "landmark day."

"We have a world-class transit sys-tem here in Metro Vancouver and we are going to continue to build upon that," Lekstrom said.

"And the Evergreen Line is just one more step in making sure that we meet the needs of the people of this region and the people of the province and visitors . It's about making sure that together our families have what they need to enjoy a life that we all expect and enjoy for ourselves and future generations."

The provincial government will oversee construction and is providing $583 million toward the $1.4-billion project. The federal government will contribute up to $417 million and TransLink will add $400 million.

The project is expected to create 8,000 jobs during the construction phase before its estimated completion in the summer of 2016.

Federal transportation minister Denis Lebel said the 11-kilometre Evergreen Line will improve the quality of life in Metro Vancouver communities.

"As a former mayor, I understand the importance of safe, efficient and reliable public transit. And together, we are investing in projects that create local jobs and boost the economy while at the same time improving transit options for people living and working here," Lebel said.

"Once completed, the Evergreen Line will cut commute times, reduce traffic congestion, reduce pollution and result in cleaner air."

On behalf of the Mayors' Council on Regional Transportation, North Vancouver District Mayor Richard Walton said he's looking forward to the day when he can travel by SeaBus and SkyTrain from North Vancouver to the Tri-Cities.

"The Evergreen Line has been an articulated priority for the municipalities of the Lower Mainland for many years. Its development will assist the region by enabling people to travel across the region faster for work and for leisure and improve the movement of goods for sale and export by reducing the traffic congestion and greenhouse gas emissions throughout the regions," Walton said.

"And the thousands of jobs that will be created in the region throughout construction will be welcome for our families and business owners in a time of significant global economic challenges."

Not everyone, how-ever, was impressed by Wednesday's announcement.

Christine Clarke, the BC Conservative candidate for the Port Moody-Coquitlam byelection, criticized the event, which was attended by throngs of reporters, photographers and politicians.

"This announcement is more photo-op politics from the Liberals. The contractor for actually building the Evergreen Line hasn't been chosen and the line will be finished at least two years later than the Liberals promised," Clarke said in a press release.

"We've seen years of inaction. The Tri-Cities is tired of waiting."

Clarke also criticized the two-cent-per-litre gas tax that will be used to partially fund the project.

"Not only will the project be two years late, but the gas tax the Liberals and mayors cooked up will make life more expensive for everyone in the Lower Mainland," said Clarke, the BC Conservatives' municipal affairs and transit critic.

"Instead of asking municipalities and TransLink to find savings of only one per cent of their budgets to pay for their contribution to the project, the Liberals and the NDP supported a two-cent-per-litre gas tax for everyone. A vote for the BC Conservatives in the Port Moody-Coquitlam byelection is a vote against the gas tax, which will raise prices across our region."

For more information about the Evergreen Line, visit www. evergreenline.gov.bc.ca.

Project updates are available on Facebook at www. facebook.com/evergreenline and on Twitter at @TranBc #EvergreenlineBC.

jmcfee@thenownews.com

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