Since 2018, the Province of BC and North Shore Connects have each led studies exploring different options for Burrard Inlet rapid transit.
Building on this work, TransLink approved Transport 2050 External website, opens in new tab and the Access for Everyone Plan External website, opens in new tab (Transport 2050 10-Year Priorities) in 2022. The Access for Everyone Plan identifies a Park Royal-to-Metrotown alignment as a priority route for a traffic-separated rapid transit connection that will:
- Connect major destinations such as Park Royal, Lower Lonsdale, Phibbs Exchange, PNE/Hastings Park, Burnaby Heights, Brentwood, BCIT, and Metrotown
- Provide a direct connection between the North Shore and both the Expo and Millennium lines
TransLink is advancing this work through:
- Extending the R2 bus External website, opens in new tab from Phibbs Exchange to Metrotown
- Studying the long-term rapid transit needs along this corridor through the Burrard Inlet Rapid Transit Program
Burrard Inlet Rapid Transit is being considered to provide more reliable transportation options across the Burrard Inlet between Park Royal in West Vancouver and Metrotown in Burnaby by way of the Second Narrows and the northeast portion of Vancouver.
This work aims to improve the significant issues caused by traffic congestion on the Lions Gate and Second Narrows bridges, including:
- Bridge traffic spilling onto city streets limits mobility within neighbourhoods near the bridges, which can affect quality of life
- Challenging businesses on both sides of the inlet to attract and retain employees
- Delaying inter-regional and port related goods movement using Highway 1 has implications for the economic growth of the region, province, and country
