Peace Arch News – Keep railing for commuter train
Keep railing for commuter train
Published: October 15, 2010 9:00 AM
Updated: October 15, 2010 9:33 AM
Editor:
Re: Light rail would work here, Oct. 8.
Kudos to columnist Frank Bucholtz for raising awareness of a viable alternative to SkyTrain expansion in the Fraser Valley, which is available now A?ai??i??ai??? not 10 to 20 years from now.
Rehabilitation and upgrading of the former BC Electric (interurban) line which still runs from New Westminster through Cloverdale, Langley and Abbotsford to Chilliwack is an idea whose time has come.
As Bucholtz points out, the main impediment appears to be the issue of road-grade crossings, but bridges would be required also for any SkyTrain expansion south of the Fraser River. TransLink and the province should be looking into engineering design and feasibility of rehabilitating the interurban line now, at least for the most urgent section between Langley and New Westminster.
And while weA?ai??i??ai???re at it, what about the BNSF line connecting White Rock and South Surrey with New Westminster? Surely some agreement could be reached with the owners to provide light-rail commuter service during peak hours.
Every year we see more home construction in South Surrey, yet the main means of road access to Vancouver A?ai??i??ai??? the George Massey Tunnel and Alex Fraser Bridge A?ai??i??ai??? are the same now as they were decades ago. We need commuter-train service now!
Chris Hodgson, Surrey
