Vancouver's long-awaited Broadway SkyTrain extension has reached a significant milestone, with test trains now running on the tracks for the first time. The project, which will extend the Millennium Line from VCC-Clark Station to Arbutus Street, is a key part of the city's transit expansion plans.
First Look at the Future Subway
Video footage released by TransLink shows the test trains moving along the new elevated guideway, offering a glimpse of what the completed line will look like. The extension is expected to significantly reduce travel times along the Broadway corridor, one of the busiest transit routes in the region.
Project Details
The Broadway extension includes six new stations: Great Northern Way, Mount Pleasant, Broadway-City Hall, Fairview-VGH, South Granville, and Arbutus. The project is on track to open in 2026, providing a rapid transit connection to Vancouver's west side.
TransLink officials say the testing phase is critical to ensure the system's safety and reliability before passenger service begins. The trains are being tested at various speeds and under different conditions to simulate real-world operations.
The extension is part of a broader effort to improve public transit in Metro Vancouver, which has seen rapid population growth in recent years. Once complete, the Broadway subway is expected to carry over 100,000 passengers per day, reducing congestion on buses and roads.
Construction on the project began in 2021 and has involved significant excavation and tunneling work. The total cost is estimated at $2.83 billion, with funding from the federal, provincial, and municipal governments.
Residents and businesses along the Broadway corridor have eagerly anticipated the subway's opening, which promises faster and more reliable transit options. The testing phase marks a major step forward in bringing that vision to reality.
