First train now rolling on Broadway Subway for active testing ahead of 2027 opening | Daily Hive
The Broadway Subway project has entered a critical operational phase as two Mark I SkyTrain cars have begun serving as the first test trains for the Millennium Line extension. This initial stage of dynamic testing is currently focused on a 0.7-km elevated guideway spanning from west of VCC-Clark Station to the tunnel portal east of the new Great Northern Way-Emily Carr Station.
Dynamic Testing and Technical Infrastructure
The current testing phase allows crews to verify that tracks, signals, and communications systems are operating safely. During this initial period, drivers are operating the trains manually before the system transitions to fully automated train control in subsequent stages.
The infrastructure utilizes a Linear Induction Motor (LIM) system, where aluminum rails running along the center of the track interact with magnets beneath the vehicles to generate electromagnetic propulsion. This design results in fewer mechanical moving parts compared to conventional rail systems.
To ensure safety and reliability, testing will incrementally expand as more track segments are completed. Procedures include verifying train clearance and positioning, as well as using weights inside the cars to simulate passenger loads.
Infrastructure Progress and Urban Integration
Construction is advancing toward the restoration of surface-level transit and roadways. At Mount Pleasant Station, temporary traffic decks have been removed and the street has reopened, with a full return to two lanes per direction expected within a few weeks.
The provincial government has indicated that the only other prolonged full closure of Broadway will occur at Broadway-City Hall Station for six months following the FIFA World Cup. Other stations will be completed using lane reductions rather than full closures.
Significant work is also underway at Broadway-City Hall Station to extend Canada Line platforms by 10 metres. This expansion to 50-metre platforms is intended to increase circulation and waiting capacity for passengers transferring to the new Millennium Line platforms.
Fleet Evolution and Future Timelines
The Mark I cars currently being used for testing, some in service since the 1980s, are slated for retirement by the time the extension opens. TransLink is commissioning new Mark V trains to replace the entire 150-car Mark I fleet.
The $2.95-billion extension is expected to open late in the fall of 2027, which could mean a start date as late as the third week of December. Once operational, a trip from Lafarge Lake-Douglas Station to the new Arbutus Station terminus will take approximately 46 minutes.
Strategic Network Expansion
Looking beyond the immediate extension, the provincial government is continuing business case planning for a westward extension from Arbutus Station to the University of British Columbia (UBC). Implementation for this segment may begin in the early 2030s.
the $6-billion, 16-km Surrey-Langley extension of the Expo Line is progressing, with all eight stations currently under construction. This fully elevated project is expected to reach completion in late 2029.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Broadway Subway extension expected to open?
The extension is scheduled to begin serving passengers in late fall 2027.
What is the purpose of the current dynamic testing?
It allows crews to determine if trains, tracks, signals, and communications systems are working together safely before transitioning to fully automated control.
How will the UBC campus be accessed before the SkyTrain extension reaches it?
The remaining journey to the UBC campus will be served by a truncated 99 B-Line service from Arbutus Station.
Do you believe the transition to fully automated transit will significantly impact urban commuting patterns in Vancouver?