TransLink reminds Surrey-area commuters that starting Saturday (April 27), King George SkyTrain Station will be closed for approximately six weeks for “essential maintenance work.”
“During this time, there will be no SkyTrain service to or from King George Station,” the transit authority says. “The Expo Line in Surrey will temporarily end at Surrey Central Station.”
First announced March 25, a full station closure is required “to complete these important upgrades as efficiently and safely as possible,” TransLink says in a news bulletin.
“Closing down a SkyTrain station is a rare occurrence, and in this instance, unavoidable,” explains a post on translink.ca/kinggeorgeclosure.
Some of the work will include removing parts of the rail to replace a turnout, a mechanical device that guides trains from one track to another. This section of track has been in use since the station first opened 30 years ago, TransLink notes.
“Multiple infrastructure upgrades in and around King George Station are also scheduled; these include cable installations, elevator inspections, asset repairs, and station cleaning. The station is expected to reopen in mid-June.”
TransLink outlined some temporary changes in and around the station:
• Buses will continue serving King George Station during the closure.
• Additional buses will run every 15 minutes between King George and Surrey Central stations from 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. on weekdays.
• Bus routes that normally end at King George Station will stop at the station and then extend northbound to terminate at Surrey Central Station.
• Buses that include a stop at King George Station will maintain their regular stops and routes.
• Directional signage, including bus bay changes, and staff will be present to assist travellers. Customers who normally travel on SkyTrain between King George and Surrey Central stations should build in 15 minutes of extra travel time.