Commuters who frequent the major transit hub at Vancouver's Commercial–Broadway SkyTrain Station will soon experience some changes to their usual routines thanks to the start of a $10.5 million two-year project to replace some aging infrastructure.
TransLink announced Dec. 13 that it would soon begin work to replace the station's escalators just ahead of the holiday season. Starting Monday, Dec. 18, TransLink passengers will see work underway on the two escalators connecting the concourse level to the Millennium Line platform.
The remainder of the project to replace all four of the busy station's escalators will continue in fall 2024 when work is slated to get underway to install new escalators connecting to the Expo Line platforms.
The four escalators have been moving people up and down between the entrance level and the platforms for over 20 years, according to TransLink, "and their replacement is necessary to ensure long-term reliability for customers."
"The new escalators will be more durable and easier to maintain. They will also have a variable speed option for power-saving and improved accessibility for maintenance to minimize downtime," describes the transit agency.
The whole project to replace all four escalators is expected to be done by fall 2025.
In the interim, alternate access to the platforms will be available to SkyTrain riders by stairwells and station elevators.
Additionally, TransLink indicates a bit of a fare gate switch-up, as two of the access points at the East Broadway station entrance (near the stairwell and elevator to the Expo Line platforms) are no longer in service. Nearby additional fare gates will serve as access points to and from the station.
While SkyTrain service will not be impacted by the ongoing renovation work, TransLink cautions some congestion at the station can be expected as part of the project.
