Groundbreaking ceremony celebrates transit improvements for Campbell River
Transit System: Campbell River
16 August 2018
CAMPBELL RIVER – Construction will soon be underway for the new Campbell River Transit and Operations Facility at 1235 Evergreen Road. When complete, the 5.7 acre site will include parking for 42 buses with the ability to expand in the future. The site will also include three vehicle maintenance bays, administrative space and onsite bus washing and fueling facilities.
“The Government of Canada recognizes how important investing in public transit infrastructure is to building strong sustainable communities that can accommodate future growth,” said the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities. “We are pleased to see this project getting under way in Campbell River, which will not only help meet growing demand, but support better daily transit services for users and help lay the groundwork for economic development and middle-class job creation.”
Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, Claire Trevena, Campbell River Mayor Andy Adams and members of BC Transit’s senior leadership team gathered this afternoon for the ceremonial groundbreaking on the site of the new transit and operations facility to be built at 1235 Evergreen Road. A statement of support was read on behalf of Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Communities, Amarjit Sohi.
“This new transit facility will be a welcome addition to the community of Campbell River and a positive sign that public transit is rising in popularity,” said Claire Trevena, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “Investing in transit services that really work for people is key to making the shift to green transportation as we work to reduce our impact on the environment for generations to come.”
In 2011, the City of Campbell River approved a Transit Future Plan that identified the need for a new transit facility to meet the growing population and to support the increasing popularity of public transit in the area. The existing facility, located at 1050 9th Avenue, can no longer support service expansion and investment in alternative technologies.
“We are extremely pleased to see the continued investment of BC Transit with the recently added bus services, and now this new Transit and Operations facility,” says Campbell River Mayor, Andy Adams. “Our community continues to grow, as does our transit ridership, and this investment is a key component to ensuring safe and efficient transportation for the residents of Campbell River.”
In addition to the improved operational functions of the new facility, the building design will accommodate future infrastructure upgrades required for alternative fleet technologies such as Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and electric buses.
“I commend the City of Campbell River for embracing an ongoing commitment to sustainable transportation in the community,” said BC Transit’s Interim President and CEO, Erinn Pinkerton. “I thank our government partners for their continued cooperation and support in getting this significant project off the ground.”
This $15 million project was first announced in 2016 as part of the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund (PTIF), from which approximately 83 per cent of construction costs are being provided by the Federal Government and the Province of B.C. The remaining construction costs will be covered by the City of Campbell River, while land and other costs not eligible for PTIF funding will be shared by the Province of B.C. and the City of Campbell River.
Tender packages have been released for site preparation and servicing, with more to follow in the coming months. The date for project completion is Winter 2019.
