For Immediate Release
April 21, 2022
NORTH VANCOUVER — North Shore Connects is pleased to see a suite of important new investments to improve transportation on, to and from the North Shore included as part of Transport 2050: 10-Year Priorities.
Most importantly, Transport 2050, TransLink’s regional strategy, commits to moving forward with Burrard Inlet Rapid Transit (BIRT), a fully traffic-separated rapid transit connection to the North Shore between Park Royal and Metrotown, which was advocated for by North Shore Connects.
The Transport 2050: 10-Year Priorities proposes immediately advancing the BIRT planning, engagement and design work to confirm the best alignment, technology, and phasing for the project. North Shore Connects will support TransLink, government agencies and stakeholders on this work to get the planning work done as quickly as possible.
The Transport 2050: 10-Year Priorities also proposes other investments to make existing transit service on, to and from the North Shore faster and more reliable, including more frequent Sea Bus service, new rapid bus connections and more local bus service. It also proposes working with the Province and neighbouring jurisdictions to advance a new interregional service to the Sea-to-Sky corridor, to provide new options for recreational travellers and commuters travelling to and from these communities, and completing up to three quarters of the 2050 Major Bikeway Network and other measures to make active transport a convenient choice for short trips.
The North Shore is the last large population base in the region without rapid transit. Over the last three years BIRT has undergone preliminary feasibility and economic impact studies. The findings of the economic impact study indicate that BIRT will assist the region in meeting goals related to reducing congestion and greenhouse gas emissions as well as enhancing economic opportunity and productivity.
Important local, regional, and provincial benefits include:
- Shifting more than 50,000 daily vehicle trips to transit, resulting in decreased congestion, emissions, and collisions.
- A near doubling of jobs accessible within a 60-minute transit ride for North Shore residents.
- Improved connectivity and economic development conditions for four First Nations reserves across the North Shore.
To find out more about TransLink’s Transport 2050 10-Year Priorities, and to participate in the survey which is open from April 20 – May 4, please visit engagetranslink.ca.
About North Shore Connects
North Shore Connects is a partnership of the District of West Vancouver, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), City of North Vancouver, District of North Vancouver and səlil̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation), who are together improving transportation on, to, and from the North Shore. Partners are also working in tandem to advocate for long overdue transportation investments. North Shore Connects is focused on reducing congestion, supporting livable communities, strengthening regional transportation, and growing the economy.
For more information visit: northshoreconnects.ca.
QUOTES
Mayor Mary-Ann Booth, District of West Vancouver:
“We’ve heard loud and clear from people both here and across the region who want to see solutions to choking congestion, to make it easier for all of us to get around. The partners of North Shore Connects are committed to working together on a number of transportation improvements for the short and longer term, including the important planning and design work with TransLink to bring rapid transit across Burrard Inlet, as soon as possible. This would reduce our GHG emissions, grow our economy and improve liveability for everyone.
Council Spokesperson, Sxwíxwtn, Wilson Williams, Squamish Nation:
“Rapid transit to the North Shore could bring opportunities to support and enhance the sustainable development of Squamish Nation’s lands and support our economic development goals. By offering better connections in the region and between our lands, there’s potential to improve access to jobs, affordable housing and education for our Members.”
Mayor Linda Buchanan, City of North Vancouver:
“The North Shore is home to many growth industries and family-supporting jobs but there are challenges for people to get around easily. The City of North Vancouver has endorsed prioritizing rapid transit over the inlet and we’re pleased that the first ten-year priorities of Transport 2050 include important investments to improve how people move to, through and from the North Shore. We encourage everyone to participate in TransLink’s engagement as we’re excited to move forward with delivering rapid transit to the North Shore.”
Mayor Mike Little, District of North Vancouver:
“Transportation is the number one priority for our community. These projects will give commuters and residents of the North Shore faster and more reliable transportation options to and from our community; and better prepare us for accommodating future growth.”
Chief Jen Thomas, Tsleil-Waututh Nation:
“We look forward to continuing to work with our partners to advance Burrard Inlet Rapid Transit. This work plays an important role in our regional transportation network. Providing our Tsleil-Waututh community members with increased access to public transportation and working to support long-term sustainability and livability for our community members is at the core of this work and we are pleased to see this reflected in Transport 2050.”
Media Contacts:
District of West Vancouver
Michaela Garstin, Communications Advisor
604-921-3458
mgarstin@westvancouver.ca
District of North Vancouver
Courtenay Rannard
604-209-8841
rannardc@dnv.org
City of North Vancouver
Tamara Connor, Research and Communications Specialist, Mayor’s Office
778-836-4330
tconnor@cnv.org
Pardeep Purewal, Manager of Communications, City of North Vancouver
604-982-8338
communications@cnv.org
Squamish Nation
604-980-4553
media@squamish.net
Tsleil-Waututh Nation
Victoria Levy, Communications Manager
604-404-9070
communications@twnation.ca