FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2004

Burnaby… The British Columbia and Yukon Territory Building and Construction Trades Council is backing the RAVCO recommendation that SNC-Lavalin/Serco build the new rapid transit line to Richmond. Although the final offer exceeded the available funding, the Building Trades support the RAVCO recommendation that the funding agencies and the successful bidder seek further commitments to close a $100 million gap. “Given the 1.763 billion dollar proposal, a $106 million shortfall should not pose a significant deterrent to the project going ahead,” responded Wayne Peppard, Executive Director of the Building Trades. “The RAVCO board should be congratulated for bringing forward this proposal that is so close to target given the cumbersome Public Private Partnership process imposed by the Provincial government and other inherent problems in coordinating all of the funding agencies” Peppard said. “The RAVCO recommendation is great news and we wait in anticipation for the final decision by Translink in December, paving the way for construction. We are ready to work with SNC-Lavalin/Serco to ensure that the project is built with qualified workers on time and within the budget,” added Gary Kroeker, President of the BCYT-BCTC.

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For further information contact Wayne Peppard at (604) 916-0027 cellular

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For further information contact 

the BCYT-BCTC office:  604-291-9020

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