RftV cost for a Vancouver to Rosedale regional railway $5.4 billion cheaper than the 16 km Expo Line extension to Langley.
Re-posted and updated on Saturday, September 19, 2020
Re-released and update July 2, 2026
On September 20, 2010, Rail for the Valley unreleased the groundbreaking Leewood Study regarding the reinstatement of a passenger service using the former BC Electric, now Southern Railway of BC route.
Why Groundbreaking?
The Leewood Study was the first and only independent study done on passenger rail for the Fraser Valley, without political or bureaucratic bias.
The Leewood Study shows the way how passenger rail should be reinstated on the former passenger rail route.
Today, more passenger passenger rail services are being restored on previously abandoned passenger routes; more passenger rail services are being restored on routes long abandoned and now rebuilt. Today politicians and planners see both the wisdom and economy of using existing railway infrastructure as a means to affordably extend passenger services to areas otherwise unreachable due to cost.
The vision was there a decade ago and the vision remains for the Fraser Valley, the question is; “Do politicians and planners in Metro Vancouver have the vision beyond there own parochial politics?”
The following is the Leewood Study’s costs for reinstating passenger rail, adjusted to 2020 dollars.
Total capital costs in 2020 dollars:
Stage 1 Phase 1 (Diesel Light Rail) 98 km Scott Rd. – Chilliwack: $578 million ($720 million – 2026)
Stage 1 Phase 2 (Electrification) 98 km Scott Rd. – Chilliwack: $134 million ($667 million – 2026)
Stage 2 Proposal – 28 km Extension to Downtown Vancouver: $426 million ($531 million – 20026)
Stage 3 Proposal – 12 km Extension to Rosedale: $33 million ($41 million – 2026)
Total:$1.171 billion! ($1.46 billion – 2026)
$5.4 billion less than the estimated cost of the 16 km extensions to the Expo Line To Langley.
From 2010
Groundbreaking report on Interurban light rail – released TODAY
Surrey Leader Editorial: We should get on track (Frank Bucholtz)
North Shore News: Valley residents on track with light rail
Vancouver Province: Valley light rail all go, twin groups claim
News 1130: Commuter rail service to the Valley is affordable – study
Rail For The Valley is extremely excited to announce the release of a comprehensive independent analysis of the potential for light rail service on the existing and publicly owned Interurban Rail Corridor, connecting communities from Chilliwack to Vancouver with an affordable, sustainable public transportation system. The study, now complete, was performed by Leewood Projects.
About Leewood Projects:
Leewood Projects is a British-based company that has professional expertise in light rail solutions, providing comprehensive project management and planning services to the international railway industry. Leewood Projects has i the past had involvement in prestigious rail projects such as the Channel Tunnel.
Railway stations designed as community gathering points. 10 full stations and 8 Tram Stops.
A detailed Journey Time matrix for stops along the line.
Total journey time between Surrey Scott Rd. SkyTrain Station and downtown Chilliwack: 90.5 minutes.
Future proposed expansions of the line: Downtown Vancouver (Stage 2) and Rosedale (Stage 3).
A detailed capital cost breakdown for the entire project.
Total capital costs (2010):
Stage 1 Phase 1 (Diesel Light Rail) 98 km Scott Rd. – Chilliwack: $492 million ($720 million – 2026)
Stage 1 Phase 2 (Electrification) 98 km Scott Rd. – Chilliwack: $114 million ($667 million – 2026)
Stage 2 Proposal – 28 km Extension to Downtown Vancouver: $363 million ($531 million – 20026)
Stage 3 Proposal – 12 km Extension to Rosedale: $28 million ($41 million – 2026)
This is the most comprehensive light rail study ever undertaken in this province, performed by a company with professional expertise in light rail solutions. This report at long last provides us with an honest accounting of the potential for light rail service on the Interurban corridor.
