The government of British Columbia issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to build the elevated guideway for the Surrey Langely SkyTrain, which will be the first rapid transit project south of the Fraser River in three decades.
The scope of the RFQ is to design, build and partially finance the guideway, roadworks and utilities, as well as active transportation elements, such as cycling and walking paths along the extension. Responses from interested parties are due Nov. 1, 2022.
Responses to the RFQ will be evaluated and up to three teams will be invited to submit proposals for the project that will extend the Expo Line from King George SkyTrain Station to Langley City Centre.
This is the first of three contracts for the planned 16-km (9.9-mile) project. British Columbia explains the separation into different contracts is designed to increase competition and enable smaller and more local companies the ability to bid on elements of the project.
The second contract will be for the construction of eight new SkyTrain stations, including active transportation elements, such as cycling and walking paths around the stations. Procurement for the second contract is expected to begin in the fall.
The third contract will be for the design and installation of SkyTrain trackwork, as well as the design, installation and integration of electrical systems, such as power, telecommunications and automatic train control. Procurement for the contract is expected to begin as early as December 2022.
The total estimated cost of the Surrey Langley SkyTrain is C$4.01 billion (US$3.17 billion), which includes capital costs (approximately C$3.94 billion/US$3.07 billion) and active transportation investments. The government of Canada has committed up to C$1.3 billion (US$1.04 billion) to the project. The provincial contribution of C$2.4 billion (US$1.87 billion) is based on the commitment to fund 40 percent of the total cost of the Mayors’ Council’s C$6 billion (US$4.67 billion) 2022 Investment Plan. B.C.’s investment covers more than 60 percent of the Surrey Langley SkyTrain project.
Major construction is expected to begin in 2024, with the Surrey Langley SkyTrain anticipated to be in operation in late 2028.
