Construction of the Broadway Subway project in Vancouver is entering its most advanced phases, with underground station structures beginning to take significant shape. This major infrastructure development is poised to dramatically change travel for tens of thousands along the vital Broadway corridor, replacing the busiest bus route with high-capacity SkyTrain service.
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Key Takeaways:
- Construction is progressing rapidly on the 5.7-km SkyTrain extension.
- Underground stations and tunnels are nearing structural completion.
- The project will replace the 99 B-Line bus along its route segment, tripling passenger capacity.
- It is on track for a planned Fall 2027 opening despite a slight cost increase.
Unpacking the Broadway Subway Project
The Broadway Subway is a critical extension of the existing SkyTrain Millennium Line, stretching 5.7 kilometers west from VCC–Clark Station to a new terminus at Arbutus Street. This expansion is designed to alleviate congestion on the heavily used 99 B-Line express bus route, which currently serves a similar corridor.
The project includes building six new underground stations, constructing 5 kilometers of twin bored tunnels, and integrating 700 meters of elevated guideway near the existing network connection. Once operational, the line is expected to initially handle up to 7,000 passengers per hour per direction, a substantial increase over the current bus capacity.
Current work is focused on the complex structures of the underground stations and the critical transition point where the elevated tracks meet the subway tunnels. Recent site tours highlight progress at locations like Great Northern Way–Emily Carr Station.
Construction progress on the elevated-to-underground transition box for the Broadway SkyTrain extension in Vancouver
Inside Station Construction Progress
Significant progress is being made on the multi-level underground station structures. Crews are now building upwards towards the roof level, which sits just below the ground surface and street level.
Great Northern Way–Emily Carr Station, located near the tunnel entrance, has seen accelerated development since the tunnel boring phase concluded in April 2024. The former staging area for tunneling machines is now being fully utilized for station construction.
A notable recent milestone occurred in late May 2025 with the completion of the final roof section at South Granville Station. This concrete pour included embedding a Canadian maple leaf and a special edition Loonie coin honoring trailblazing engineer Elsie MacGill, after whom one of the tunnel boring machines was also named. MacGill was the world’s first female aeronautical engineer.
A special "Elsie" Loonie coin and maple leaf embedded in the concrete roof of Great Northern Way-Emily Carr Station
Below ground, the two main levels of the stations are taking shape. This includes the 80-meter-long platforms, ventilation systems, areas for stairs, escalators, and elevators, and the concourse or mezzanine level. Construction has also started on the street-level entrance buildings for the stations. At South Granville Station, mechanical installations, such as escalators, are already underway.
Workers inspecting the concourse or mezzanine level under construction at Great Northern Way-Emily Carr Station
Track Installation and Future Milestones
Track work is actively progressing across most segments of the extension. The SkyTrain system utilizes steel running rails, a side power rail, and an aluminum induction strip for the trains’ propulsion. Specialized equipment is used to pull long sections of rail into the tunnels before welding them together into continuous lengths.
Looking ahead to 2026, major milestones include the removal of temporary traffic decks covering the station sites along Broadway. This will allow for street restoration and access improvements. Interior fitting out of the stations will begin, and dynamic testing of the train system within the tunnels and on the guideway will commence.
Project Costs and Timeline
As of late 2024, the project’s cost saw a relatively modest increase of 4.5%, or $127 million, rising from $2.827 billion to $2.954 billion. Despite this adjustment, the project remains largely on track. Major construction started in May 2021.
The targeted opening date for the Broadway Subway extension to Arbutus Station is Fall 2027, aligning with previous projections.
Looking down the future platform level under construction at Great Northern Way-Emily Carr Station
Impact on Transit and Ridership
The completion of the Broadway Subway will significantly impact transit in the region. The 99 B-Line will be truncated, terminating at the new Arbutus Station, where a dedicated off-street bus exchange will be built to facilitate transfers to UBC and other western destinations.
Travel times along the corridor will see dramatic reductions. A seamless trip from Arbutus Station to Broadway-City Hall Station (connecting to the Canada Line) will take approximately six minutes. Travel to VCC-Clark Station will be around 11 minutes, and reaching Commercial-Broadway Station will take about 12 minutes.
Upon opening, the extension is forecast to attract over 100,000 boardings per day. This high ridership is anticipated due to the significant time savings, the enhanced connectivity across the SkyTrain network (especially via the Canada Line transfer), and the ongoing increase in housing and job density along the Broadway corridor.
Beyond Arbutus: The UBC Extension and Other Projects
While the immediate focus is on reaching Arbutus, planning work continues for a potential further westward extension of the Millennium Line from Arbutus to the University of British Columbia (UBC) campus. This is part of TransLink’s long-term strategy, potentially being explored for the first half of the 2030s. The provincial government is currently leading the detailed business case for this potential extension, including technical design and geotechnical analysis, supported by federal funding.
Concurrent with the Broadway project, construction is also advancing on the Surrey-Langley extension of the Expo Line. This 16-km elevated line with eight stations is expected to open in late 2029, further expanding the regional SkyTrain network.
The progress on the Broadway Subway underscores significant investment in Vancouver’s public transit infrastructure, promising faster, more reliable travel for a large portion of the metropolitan area.
Concrete columns supporting the tunnel structure and transition near Great Northern Way-Emily Carr Station
The Path Ahead
With structural work nearing completion on stations and tunnels, the project will shift focus to fitting out the interiors and installing the necessary operating systems for the trains. The planned Fall 2027 opening remains the target, bringing high-capacity rapid transit to one of Vancouver’s busiest corridors. The successful integration of this extension is expected to yield significant benefits in terms of reduced travel times, lower emissions, and improved accessibility for residents and commuters.
For more information on major infrastructure projects in the region, explore our coverage on the Surrey-Langley SkyTrain extension or the ongoing planning for the UBC SkyTrain extension.
