New Capstan Station in Richmond running behind schedule
Credit to Author: Jennifer Saltman| Date: Tue, 03 Dec 2019 21:07:42 +0000
Canada Line users will have to wait a bit longer for an extra stop to be built at Capstan Way in Richmond, as the city and TransLink consider options for the station’s design.
In 2012, Richmond signed a funding agreement with TransLink for Capstan Station, which will be located at No. 3 Road, between Aberdeen and Bridgeport stations, that required the city to raise about $29 million to build the new station.
In order to do that, the city has given developers building in north Richmond the option to make a voluntary contribution to planning, construction and implementation costs for the station in exchange for extra density.
It was initially thought that it would take until 2027 to collect the money, but according to Richmond spokesperson Clay Adams, the city has more than the required amount, about $33 million, in the bank already.
Richmond council approved the transfer of $3.5 million to TransLink in November 2017, and station design began in early 2018.
In his inaugural address in November of last year, Mayor Malcolm Brodie said construction was set to start in 2019.
However, the station is still in the detailed design stage.
“It’s taking longer than we had hoped, but it’s for a purpose,” said Brodie. “We’ve been looking at the various possibilities as to the configuration. … I’m hopeful that in the very near future we will be releasing the money for the entire project and then TransLink will have 30 months to complete it.”
The agreement between the city and TransLink stipulates that station must built and running within 30 months of the money being transferred, barring factors outside of TransLink’s control. TransLink would be responsible for any funding shortfall.
A TransLink spokesperson said in an email that the transit agency is working closely with the city on the project, and they are reviewing design concepts.
“TransLink will announce further timeframes and estimates in due course,” the spokesperson said.
Capstan was one of four stations that were planned for the Canada Line, but not expected to be built until later. The others are at 33rd and 57th Avenues and Cambie Street in Vancouver, and on Sea Island in Richmond.