Shovels striking the ground on Thursday marked the official start of construction on Richmond’s new Capstan Canada Line Station, after nearly a decade of planning.
Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie was joined by TransLink’s new CEO Kevin Quinn, along with two city councilors, at the site of the new $52-million station, at the intersection of No. 3 Road and Capstan Way between Bridgeport and Aberdeen stations.
“Capstan Station will be the cornerstone of making Capstan Village centred around zero-emission, fast, and reliable transit,” said Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie, adding that the new project “is a great example of various parties…working together to build a strong community.”
The station is intended to support the growing community in the Capstan Village area, which is estimated to see 4,000 to 6,000 new residential units, according to Brodie, and bring up to 16,000 people to Richmond.
Quinn noted that the new station will be “built right in the heart of a growing community.”
“(It) will help make transit the number one transportation option for so many new and current residents of Capstan Village,” he said.
The city first entered an agreement for a new station with TransLink in 2012. It was originally intended to open next summer, however, it is now expected to open in March 2023.
The $52-million investment is shared between the City of Richmond – $32 million funded with the support of developers – and TransLink to cover the costs of building the station.
“This financial model is a first of its kind for TransLink. Partnering with the City of Richmond… (and) with the development community. It’s a model we are hoping to replicate in other areas,” Quinn added.
“(The model) will help deliver a great station that’s affordable and certainly cost-effective for other tax payers across the Metro Vancouver region.”
According to TransLink, the new station design will “evolve the existing Canada Line station look and feel,” by building on the modular design and use of wood and is envisioned as a pavilion that’s fully-glazed on three sides to provide views through the building.
Capstan Station will include features such as dual escalators and a longer platform to accommodate three-car trains in the future.
In addition, there will be a public plaza, consisting of a commercial retail unit next to the ticket area at the station’s single, south-facing entrance, bike lockers, public art and bright lighting.
Capstan Station will be the second time that TransLink has built a station on an existing SkyTrain line. The first was Lake City Way Station, which was built after the Millennium Line opened.
-With files from Kirsten Clarke
