1. South of Fraser Rapid Transit Phase 1 Surrey-Newton-Guildford LRT
Thank you for having us
Introduce self and role
Pleased to provide an overview of our LRT and how we believe the LRT will be a catalyst for development and how we are working an addressing construction impacts
We look forward to hearing more from you as part of this process
Today, I’d like to on two things:
LRT need and as a catalyst for development
LRT and construction impact
LRT and Development Surrey Board of Trade – December 1

2. CATALYST & CONSTRUCTION
Speaking notes

3. The 27-km LRT Plan South of Fraser Rapid Transit includes 2 phases:
Phase 1 – shown in green: the Surrey-Newton-Guildford LRT Project along 104 Avenue and King George Boulevard
Phase 2 – shown in lighter grey: the future Surrey-Langley Line along Fraser Highway
As the Newton-Guildford Line was identified as the first priority (year 7 of the plan), that has been the focus of our design development and engagement over the year.
Mayors’ Council Vision clearly states 27 km of LRT for South of the Fraser. Surrey and the 2 Langley communities are committed to this Vision.

4. Surrey-Newton-Guildford LRT Corridor
104 Ave:
4 stops
Improved bus exchange at Guildford Town Centre
King George Blvd:
7 stops
New bus exchange at Newton Town Centre
The physical scope for the Surrey-Newton-Guildford Project includes:
Total 10.5 km of at-grade trackway, running mainly in the centre of the street right-of-way
11 LRT stops located at key intersections (matches current 96 B-line with exception of Whalley Blvd stop, which is very close to Surrey Central)
A new LRT operations and maintenance centre, along the alignment – the exact location is still to be determined, but will be located near the Newton terminus.
The northbound route begins at a new Newton Exchange near 72 Avenue and travels north along King George Boulevard before turning off King George onto 102 Avenue and City Parkway to access Surrey City Centre.
From Surrey City Centre, the route continues north on City Parkway, then east on 104 Avenue to Guildford Exchange near 152 Street. The southbound route follows the same course in reverse.
Given the different characteristics and functions of 104 Ave and King George Blvd, a slightly different treatment is envisioned for each corridor.
I’d like to talk about the broader vision and the project benefits.

5. The Need Growing population and employment. Vision for:
Sustainable, transit-oriented development
Livable, affordable communities
Scalable and inclusive transportation
Employment
Population
2011
2045
300,000
Jobs
830,000
People
“Street-orientated LRT will transform Surrey into Connected, Complete and Livable communities, making the City and the Region more vibrant, accessible, competitive, and sustainable”
There is broad recognition of the need for sustainable growth in our region
There is broadly supported land use and transportation plans that call for rapid transit South of the Fraser
Surrey’s vision for rapid transit development is: Street-orientated LRT will transform Surrey into connected, complete and livable communities, making the City and the Region more vibrant, accessible, competitive, and sustainable
104 Avenue, future visualization

6. The Benefits
Modern, street-level LRT will transform the City into vibrant, connected places where people live and work. It will bring together mobility and affordability, and will be designed to integrate into the communities it serves.
Benefits are regional and local
Local benefits are game changing. So, allow me as a city employee to reflect to you how the City views the project benefits…
1. More people using public transit means fewer vehicles on the road.
2. LRT can add or remove train cars to meet long term ridership demand to 2045 and beyond.
3. LRT will create integrated, pedestrian-friendly communities along two of Surrey’s busiest corridors. LRT revitalizes urban neighbourhoods, attracting developers who want to build near public transit and the people who want to live near transit.
4. LRT runs on electricity, with no operating emissions, reducing greenhouse gases and the region’s dependency on fossil fuels.
5. In total, more than 3,500 direct jobs and 2,000 indirect jobs will be created through LRT. It will diversify Surrey’s economy by attracting highly-skilled jobs in education, technology and health services.
6. The project is part of the Mayors’ Council Vision for meeting regional transportation needs.
& ATTRACT
EMPLOYMENT

7. Preliminary Travel Time and Volumes
Safety for all users is one of the tools we use to look at how LRT will affect traffic patterns, volumes and travel times.
We also look at things like:
Forecast population and employment growth, land use plans and other planned transportation improvements – to model how demand for travel will change over time, with and without the project, including looking at the different ways that people can travel, such as by transit or by car
Changes in traffic signal timing and how that affects travel times
Changes in access and how that affects travel patterns on the main corridors and on other streets
And changes in frequency and speed of the LRT vehicles and how that affects ridership
Hundreds of model runs are used to test the effect of small changes in demand, intersection signal timing, LRT speed, and more to determine the most effective network for all users
Modelling to date predicts that with LRT:
Future transit travel times will be 18 minutes faster than without LRT, and actually faster than today
There will be three times as many transit users than without LRT, which is five times as many as on the current B-Line system
With more people using transit, there will be more room on the road for goods movers and others who can’t take transit.
Travel time for cars will be a bit slower – about 7 minutes longer if travelling from end to end. This will primarily be local traffic, since with other improvements to the road network, most of the through traffic is expected to shift to 100 Avenue and 108 Avenue.
Travel demand forecasting and traffic planning work will continue to be refined over the coming months, including potential adjustments to background assumptions following completion of this stage of engagement
Travel time estimates are preliminary, based on modelling, and subject to change as design modifications are made.

8. LRT: Transforming Surrey
The vision for Surrey LRT is not only to build great transit but also to build a great city. Street-oriented LRT will transform Surrey into connected, complete and livable communities, making the City and Region more vibrant, accessible, competitive and sustainable.
This is a rendering detailing the vision to transform Newton Town Centre
There is community vibrancy
Vision Elements: Connected, Complete, Livable

9. LRT Vision Element: CONNECTED
People with choices for getting around the city and connecting to the region
Connecting people, places and communities quickly, safely and efficiently

10. LRT Vision Element: COMPLETE
There’s places where people want to be on the street and to access businesses, amenities and attractions
Complete streets make it safe, attractive and comfortable for all to get around

11. LRT Vision Element: LIVABLE
Residents will have housing options
Livable communities are unique, beautiful and healthy places
where people and jobs want to be

12. Vision - Illustrated Future – Medium Term Future – Long Term
Future – Long Term, Full Build out
Future – Short Term
Today
And a simulation showing the current state of King George Boulevard and the vision for the long-term build out
[click to scroll through all three simulations]
Visualization of King George Boulevard at 76 Avenue (artist’s concept)

13. LRT OPERATIONS & CONSTRUCTION
Speaking notes (SM)
These next few slides speak to how LRT will physically integrate with other traffic on the roadway.

14. VEHICLE DESIGN CONCEPT
Ground level, no-step boarding;
spacious, quiet, accessible rail cars

15. LRT Stop Design All illustrations for reference only.
Illustrated example only, side platform
Key LRT stop elements
LRT stops will be designed with minimal footprint, blending seamlessly into the community.
Clear sightlines and street-level access will make it easier to see and access retail areas and other destinations.
Wind/rain shelters and other features like lighting, cameras and emergency call boxes will help provide a safe environment for passengers.
Wide ramps to platforms will make it easy for passengers of all ages and abilities to access the stops.
Real-time wayfinding information will provide travel and wait times.
Designated cross-walks will provide pedestrians with safe access to the stops. These accesses will be placed close to the stops, to help minimize any incentive for people to jaywalk
Side platform example
All illustrations for reference only.
Subject to change.
Centre platform example

16. Roadway Safety At intersections: Rules of the road apply
En route: dedicated, curb-separated track
Emergency: Coordinated, quick response; emergency vehicles use LRT lanes on 104 Ave if needed
LRT is new to our region so it’s natural that there are questions about how it works.
It’s actually really simple.
The rules of the road apply – LRT vehicles will obey traffic signals just like all other drivers.
The difference is that LRT will have it’s own signals, but they are integrated with signals for other road users – sort of like an advanced green left turn, or bus priority intersections.
LRT will also travel it dedicated lanes that are curb separated from other traffic.
We also get a lot of questions about emergency response and how responders will be able to get around the train if needed. There are a few things that will be done to make sure that emergency response remains a priority in the event of an incident:
LRT will be integrated into the traffic management system, for quick call in and emergency response vehicle dispatch if needed
Trains can move in both directions, to get out of the way if emergency responders need to get through
And on 104 Ave, where there will be only one lane in each direction for other vehicles, Emergency response vehicles can travel in the LRT lanes if needed.

17. Minimizing Construction Impacts
During construction, construction management and mitigation is planned 
Traffic and Transportation
Provide safe and accessible pedestrian crossings
Minimize detours to bike routes
Prioritize transit service, including minimizing route detours
Dedicate staff to respond to traffic challenges
Early and frequent notice of changes
Keep traffic moving on the corridors and alternate routes 
Business and Community
Maintain continuous, safe access to homes and businesses
Maintain business visibility from the street
Develop strategies to minimize and manage noise, dust, and vibration
Construction will take about three to four years. Minimizing disruption and keeping traffic moving will be a key priority.
Before construction begins, detailed construction management plans will be developed.
Things we are looking at, which will be developed as part of the environmental review are… (read from list)

18. PROJECT SCHEDULE

19. Thank You