Located in the heart of the Metrotown area facing plenty of change, TransLink is proposing more of it with the expansion of its Metrotown SkyTrain station and a new site for its bus exchange in the area.
At its May 27 meeting, Burnaby council reviewed the current series of new rezoning applications for information. TransLink has applied for a rezoning bylaw amendment to accommodate expansion and upgrades to the existing Metrotown SkyTrain station, including the relocation of its bus exchange in "keeping with the city's new public realm and urban design standards in Metrotown," a city report states.
The transit authority has projected the construction period to be between April 2014 and April 2016.
"Planning staff generally support the new Metrotown SkyTrain concept, which includes a new transit exchange and provision of a number of significant enhancements to the public realm," the report states.
The proposed concept also provides community and public benefits through the encouragement of all transportation modes and integrating the station with the changing neighbourhood surrounding it, according to the report.
There are many developments currently under construction in the station's immediate area, and about 60,000 riders use the station every day - making it the second busiest station in the region.
"Transit ridership demand is projected to increase by six per cent per year," the report states. "As such, TransLink has identified several stations along the Expo Line route for station upgrades relating to improved capacity, accessibility, operations, general station design and integration with the broader transit fare-gate ticketing system."
On Oct. 15, 2007, council approved in principal a conceptual approach for improvements for the station, based on findings of the Metrotown Transit Village Study. The study was meant to identify concepts to enhance the use of alternative modes of traveling to Metrotown using the station, transit exchange, pedestrian and bike connections.
Key aspects of the proposed expansion and improvements to the Burnaby station include accommodating the station's functional requirements with station entrances located at the eastern and western ends of the station, elevator access to the platform level, and the extension of the station platform to increase its capacity.
There are also plans to improve access for cyclists, pedestrians and transit users by improving pedestrian and cycle crossings that extend from Central Boulevard down to Beresford Street featuring a weather protection canopy; special paving and lighting; improved pedestrian access through the Station Square development sites; a space for small cafes, retail kiosks and other commercial amenities; and the potential to have public washrooms, bike storage and repair facilities within the station.
A new bus exchange site has been identified along the south side of the station area, adjoining the B.C. Parkway Urban Trail between McKay and Dow avenues, which would mean the current bus area would be decommissioned and potentially reclaimed by Metropolis at Metrotown Mall for more retail space.
"(The new exchange) would accommodate bus stopping areas, layover spaces, and a bus lane for all bus lines servicing Metrotown," the report states.
Council approved the planning and building department's recommendation to work with TransLink to prepare a detailed development plan for a future public hearing.
Council was reluctant to approve the preliminary information about TransLink's expansion as they felt TransLink was trying to move too quickly with this. But they were told there would be further workshops for council to learn more about the expansion and they would have the opportunity to bring up concerns later if they still have issues with the proposal.
Mayor Derek Corrigan said his primary concern was the proposal to move the bus loop to Beresford Street, because it did not match their vision for that area.
