Transit agency, TransLink, initiates replacement of all existing elevators along the Expo Line.
The Expo Line Elevator Replacement Program, a significant part of the Mayor's 10-Year Vision known as the Access for Everyone plan, is currently in progress. This program aims to improve customer experience and ensure safety and reliability on the Expo Line, which has been in service for about 40 years.
The project began around 2024-2025, with TransLink actively replacing elevators in all 15 Expo Line stations. This marks a significant infrastructure renewal effort for aging equipment. Although the exact completion date has not been clearly stated, such large transit projects typically span multiple years for phased replacements.
The cost of the Expo Line elevator replacements is not explicitly detailed, but comparable projects, such as those in Los Angeles County government facilities, have contract amounts in the range of approximately $15 million for multiple elevators, suggesting a substantial but not astronomical expense for elevator replacements. Funding for the program is likely sourced from local transit authorities and government transportation budgets, though exact details are not available.
In addition to the mechanical replacements, the program also includes upgrades to elevator communications and fire safety systems to ensure they meet modern safety and regulatory requirements.
TransLink CEO Kevin Quinn emphasised that replacing elevators from the 1980s will improve customer experiences and make transit more reliable and accessible for those with mobility devices, bicycles, strollers, or luggage. The program is a step towards continuing to improve transit in Metro Vancouver, with TransLink seeking funds for the replacement of additional SkyTrain elevators through future investment plans.
This program follows the recent replacement of 37 original Expo Line escalators, further demonstrating TransLink's commitment to maintaining and improving the region's transit infrastructure. For the most current and detailed information about the Expo Line Elevator Replacement Program, contacting Metro's public affairs or transit project office might provide precise budget and timeline documents.
The Expo Line Elevator Replacement Program, a part of the Access for Everyone plan, extends to various sectors such as finance and industry, as the funding for this project likely comes from local transit authorities and government transportation budgets. This program, which encompasses transportation and public-transit, also involves upgrades to elevator communications and fire safety systems to ensure compliance with modern safety and regulatory requirements.
