Stories from Tri-City News headlines of decades past is a recurring feature as the publication marks its 40th anniversary in 2024.
In November 1995, commuter rail service between Vancouver and Mission was scheduled to become a reality.
But before the first West Coast Express (WCE) train could pull out of Mission station and roll through Maple Ridge, Port Coquitlam and Coquitlam, the CP Rail tracks along which it would run needed to be upgraded.
As well, rail bridges over the Pitt and Coquitlam rivers had to be twinned.
“Part of the upgrade to allow commuter rail is to ensure commuter rail can run on one track,” West Coast Express project manager Rick Lee told the Tri-City News.
In total, the track work along the new line was budgeted to cost $60 million. The construction of eight stations along the route would cost another $57 million, plus an additional $45 million to acquire new commuter rail cars.
Since the WCE’s launch, TransLink said about 2.6 million passengers board its trains every year.
The trip from Port Coquitlam to Vancouver’s Waterfront Station takes about 35 minutes.
The Tri-City News has covered civic affairs, local crime, festivals, events, personalities, sports and arts in Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody since 1983. Bound back issues of the paper are available at the Coquitlam Archives, while digital versions of several past years can be found at issuu.com.
