More than C$30 million (US$23 million) in joint federal-provincial funding for upgrades and improvements to the Phibbs Transit Exchange was announced by the Honorable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources and Member of Parliament for North Vancouver, Terry Beech, Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, and Member of Parliament for Burnaby North—Seymour, on behalf of the Honorable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities and B.C.'s Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, the Honorable Rob Fleming.
The Phibbs Transit Exchange is a key transit hub in North Vancouver that serves nearly 14,000 passengers daily. The project has now gone out to tender and construction is expected to begin in late summer once a successful proponent has been selected.
"Investing in transit infrastructure plays an essential role in Canadians' quality of life. The Phibbs Exchange upgrades will help address the needs of the growing North Shore community. Our government is proud to work with our partners to support convenient, inclusive, and sustainable public transportation,” said Minister Wilkinson, on behalf of Minister LeBlanc.
The North Shore community will benefit from important upgrades to increase capacity and support expansion. Improvements include 12 new bus bays to meet future needs, such as articulated buses, as well as safer pedestrian and cycling accessways, better lighting and signage and related road infrastructure and drainage gardens.
"Upgrades to the Phibbs Transit Exchange will make this vital transit hub safer, easier and more accessible for pedestrians, cyclists and commuters. By investing in modern public transit infrastructure, we are reducing commute times, creating jobs and promoting economic growth in the community,” said Secretary Beech.
Commuters and transit employees will also benefit from two new buildings: a light food concession and a transit operator rest station.
The government of Canada is investing more than C$11.7 million (US$9.1 million) in this project, while the government of British Columbia is contributing more than C$18.8 million (US$14.63 million).
"Thousands of commuters travel through Phibbs Exchange every day as one of the North Shore's most important transit hubs. This improvement project will expand the exchange's capacity to address the North Shore's growing transit demands and is another example of B.C. and the federal government's shared commitment to funding public transit infrastructure,” said Minister Bowinn.
TransLink CEO Kevin Quinn added, "Phibbs Exchange is a critical transfer point for North Shore residents and students at Capilano University. We thank our senior government partners for this investment that will make the exchange more comfortable, safer, and better integrated with the neighborhood.”
