Light-rail project funding heads to province
Greater Victoria’s light-rail rapid transit project will be placed in provincial hands tomorow (June 1) for consideration and funding support.
The $950-million plan was approved by B.C. Transit’s provincial board last Thursday – a necessary final step before the paperwork was submitted to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.
“We feel we have been very thorough in our consultation process to ensure that we have the support we needed to get to where we are today,” said Joanna Linsangan, B.C. Transit manager of public relations.
The province will now be able to examine the alignment and recommended technology, then potentially approach the federal government for financial assistance.
The business case for the project is still under development, and won’t be finalized until the funding plan is identified, Linsangan said.
The project plan was first given the green light by the Victoria Regional Transit Commission on May 17, and endorsed by the Capital Regional District board on May 11, following two public open houses.
A steering committee made up of B.C. Transit executives, the Ministry of Transportation and the CRD will meet in June to guide the development of a local funding task force, which will be led by the CRD and B.C. Transit.
emccracken@vicnnews.com
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