WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 2004

Vancouver…The Building and Construction Trades are pleased with the Translink decision to move forward with the Richmond-Airport-Vancouver extension to the GVRD Rapid Transit system. Combined with the northeast extension of Skytrain to Port Moody and Coquitlam the proposed expansion will see over $1.5 billion in new Rapid Transit infrastructure investment.

“The Building Trades have been backing the RAV expansion to Rapid Transit from the beginning,” said Wayne Peppard, Executive Director of the BCYT-BCTC. “We are pleased that Translink has come to the right decision for improved transit for the Lower Mainland region.” Peppard added, “We continue to oppose private maintenance and operation of public rapid transit.”

It is estimated that construction of the new lines would begin by the summer of 2005. Project construction would take place over four years and be completed a year in advance of the 2010 Winter Olympics.

“I trust that today’s Translink decision will be the last major hurtle in moving forward with the project,” Peppard said. “The difficulties and strains leading up to today’s decision have been a valuable and important part of the decision making process. Local and provincial representatives have thoroughly reviewed the project. It’s time now to get on with the work and build the new expansions for the benefit of the entire region,” Peppard concluded.

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For further information contact 

the BCYT-BCTC office:  604-291-9020

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