Both BC Transit centers in Victoria and Langford will undergo seismic upgrades, and new facilities added at both locations – that will total $10.9 million.
The improvements include the construction of a new paint and body shop in Victoria, along with seismic upgrades to the center’s existing repair and maintenance facility.
BC Transit said its largest yard, sees an average of 1,200 body and paint-related jobs per year, making it one of the province’s busiest transit vehicle repair facilities.
Also on the list is the construction of a new 4,000 square foot purpose-built warehouse at the transit center in Langford. Construction of that facility began in early February.
The centralized stockroom will service BC Transit’s province-wide operations and, “enable the organization to serve its network of transit hubs in the timeliest and most efficient manner possible.”
Though the new facilities are being constructed in Greater Victoria, their benefit is province-wide, according to BC Transit.
“These upgrades in the Victoria region represent our shared commitment to providing seismically safe and operationally efficient transit solutions,” said Todd Stone, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure.
“Not only do these upgrades protect transit employees, but they also help ensure the integrity of the local transit systems, which provide an essential service for hundreds of thousands of British Columbians.”
Both construction projects are part of the almost $160 million in federal and provincial funding for BC Transit projects announced last June.
Both facilities will remain open during construction, with completion expected in April 2018.
