Broadway Subway Construction Milestone: 100% Rail Installed

The construction of SkyTrain’s Millennium Line Broadway extension has achieved a significant milestone with the completion of 100% of the running rail installation. This announcement, made by the provincial government, confirms that all running rails have been laid along the 5.7-kilometre extension, which connects VCC-Clark Station to the future Arbutus Station.

The installation involved welding the rails into segments of 400 metres, followed by positioning these segments on the elevated guideway and within tunnels. With this phase now complete, crews have commenced the installation of the linear induction motor (LIM) rail, starting with the elevated guideway segment located in the False Creek Flats, just west of VCC-Clark Station.

SkyTrain utilizes LIM technology for both the Expo and Millennium lines. The LIM rail, a continuous aluminum and steel plate, is crucial as it interacts with the train’s bogie to generate the electromagnetic energy necessary for propelling the trains forward, including acceleration and braking. Additional installations include a power rail that ensures a continuous electrical supply to the trains and communications cables along the tracks to facilitate connectivity with the SkyTrain operations and control centre.

Progress is also evident in the installation of electrical systems and a variety of equipment within the six new subway stations, which are now visibly taking shape at ground level. Dynamic testing of the system is anticipated to start in late 2026, continuing through 2027, with the Millennium Line extension to Arbutus projected to open in Fall 2027. Construction on this project began in Spring 2021.

Surrey-Langley Extension Advances

In parallel, significant construction advancements are occurring on the SkyTrain’s Expo Line Surrey-Langley extension, which stretches between King George Station and the future Langley City Centre Station. This 16-kilometre segment along Fraser Highway is witnessing construction activities, including the formation of concrete columns and the upcoming launch of four specialized gantry crane machines in the latter half of 2025. These cranes will facilitate the construction of the elevated guideway using thousands of pre-cast concrete segments, along with the development of eight new elevated station structures, notably with the future Green Timbers Station nearing completion.

In January 2026, the provincial government confirmed that the first pieces of running rails for the Surrey-Langley SkyTrain extension had started arriving, paving the way for track work to commence in the spring. This extension’s construction began in November 2025 and is expected to be completed by late 2029. Upon completion, the entire SkyTrain network will expand to a total length exceeding 100 kilometres, with the Broadway and Surrey-Langley extensions contributing a combined total of 22 kilometres.

As these projects progress, they are set to enhance public transportation options significantly, reflecting a commitment to improving accessibility and connectivity across the region.