Broadway Subway construction reaches major milestone with 100% of rail installed
The project to build SkyTrain's Millennium Line Broadway extension has reached a significant construction milestone with the completion of 100% of the running rail installation, according to a recent update by the provincial government. This achievement marks the successful laying of all running rails along the 5.7-km-long extension between VCC-Clark Station and the future Arbutus Station.
The installation process involved welding the running rails into 400-meter-long segments and then carefully positioning them on the elevated guideway and within the tunnels. Now, crews are transitioning to the installation of the linear induction motor (LIM) rail, starting from the short segment of elevated guideway in the False Creek Flats, just west of VCC-Clark Station.
SkyTrain's Expo and Millennium lines utilize LIM technology, where the LIM rail is a continuous aluminum and steel plate installed between the running rails. This innovative system interacts with equipment in the train's bogie to generate electromagnetic energy, enabling both acceleration and braking. Another crucial component is the power rail, which will be installed alongside the tracks to provide a continuous electrical supply for the trains.
The construction progress is well-documented, with updates provided by the Government of BC. In February 2026, the installation of the Broadway Subway's tracks was highlighted, and in September 2025, the tunnel construction was showcased. Additionally, November 2025 saw progress on the elevated guideway and Great Northern Way-Emily Carr Station. As the project advances, communications cables are being installed along the tracks to connect the trains to the SkyTrain operations and control center.
The electrical systems and various equipment inside the six new subway stations are also taking shape. Dynamic testing of the system is anticipated to commence later in 2026 and continue through 2027. The Millennium Line extension to Arbutus is scheduled to open in the fall of 2027, with major construction initially commencing in the spring of 2021.
Furthermore, significant progress is being made on SkyTrain's Expo Line Surrey-Langley extension, which is part of a larger expansion project. Construction is underway along the 16-km-long Fraser Highway segment, including the formation of concrete columns and the use of special gantry crane machines to build the concrete elevated guideway. The eight new elevated station structures are taking shape, with Green Timbers Station being the most advanced.
In January 2026, the arrival of running rails for the Surrey-Langley SkyTrain extension was announced, marking a crucial step before the start of track work this spring. The Surrey-Langley extension, which began construction in November 2025, is expected to be completed and open in late 2029. Upon completion, the entire SkyTrain network will span over 100 km, with the Broadway and Surrey-Langley extensions contributing a combined total of 22 km.
