By Kirsten Clarke
The construction of a long-promised Capstan Canada Line station could begin next year, following the transfer of $28-million in developer-supported funds from the City of Richmond to TransLink.
Capstan Station will be located in the northeast corner of No. 3 Road and Capstan Way, between Bridgeport and Aberdeen stations.
The city — which is funding the entire cost of the station with the support of developers — first entered the agreement for a new station with TransLink in 2012. The News has that, at the time, it was expected that it would take 15 years to raise the funds.
The station is intended to support the growing community in the Capstan Village area, which will see the construction of more than 6,000 residential units, according to the city.
“This is an excellent example of how the City of Richmond works with developers and partners such as TransLink to build strong communities,” said Mayor Malcolm Brodie.
“Parks, trails, recreation facilities and even green spaces are often created by developers who are building higher density communities in urban areas. Now, through a shared vision and this precedent-setting agreement, we have an important transit location as well.”
According to TransLink’s CEO Kevin Desmond, the Canada Line’s strong ridership has spurred an “astonishing amount” of property development.
“Partnering with the City of Richmond and leveraging developer dollars to help fund a new station is an important model for transit infrastructure enhancements,” said Desmond.
The city and TransLink first began working on design concepts for Capstan Station in 2017, after the city transferred $1.1 million to the transit company.
Once design concepts are reviewed and approved, according to the city, construction can begin.
The city estimates the project will be completed around mid-2022.
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