Supporting a Major Transit Expansion in Metro Vancouver

ZE Power Engineering supported BC Hydro in delivering power infrastructure design for one of Metro Vancouver’s most significant transit expansion projects – a key investment that will improve how communities connect across the region.

What Did ZE Power Engineering Do for the SkyTrain Project?

ZE Power Engineering provided power infrastructure design for the Surrey–Langley SkyTrain expansion in Metro Vancouver. The work included underground electrical infrastructure design, corridor coordination, and engineering support for reliable transit operations within a complex, multi-jurisdiction urban corridor.

Project Overview

The Surrey–Langley SkyTrain project is a major transit expansion extending the Expo Line approximately 16 kilometres along Fraser Highway, connecting Surrey to Langley City.

The project is designed to improve mobility, support population growth, and enable low-carbon transportation through electrified transit systems.

ZE Power Engineering supported BC Hydro by delivering power infrastructure design required to support safe, efficient, and long-term transit operations along this corridor.

Key Project Details

• Client: BC Hydro
• Location: Metro Vancouver, British Columbia
• Project Type: Transit power infrastructure
• Scale: ~16 km of underground electrical infrastructure
• Environment: Dense urban, multi-jurisdiction corridor

ZE Power Engineering’s Role in Infrastructure Design

ZE Power Engineering acted as prime engineering consultant, delivering multidisciplinary electrical engineering design focused on power infrastructure.

The team delivered the civil and underground electrical engineering design for a critical power infrastructure corridor supporting the Surrey–Langley SkyTrain, 16-kilometre extension of the Expo Line, and the first rapid transit expansion south of the Fraser River in 30 years. ZE designed the complete underground duct-bank and feeder system along Fraser Highway, enabling reliable electrical supply to eight new SkyTrain stations across the cities of Surrey, Township of Langley and Langley.

Engineering Challenges

Delivering power infrastructure for a major transit project within an active urban corridor required careful coordination and planning.

Key challenges included limited space, dense existing utilities, high traffic volumes, environmental considerations, and coordination across multiple municipalities and agencies.

Engineering Approch

ZE Power Engineering applied a practical, constructability-focused approach to power infrastructure design.

Phased design delivery supported early construction activities, reducing schedule risk and improving overall project efficiency. Continuous coordination ensured alignment across stakeholders and supported timely decision-making.

The design approach supported electrified transit systems, ensuring reliable power delivery and long-term operational performance. From early planning to design coordination and construction support, structured project management played a key role in maintaining schedule and performance.

Impact and Value

The project supports one of Metro Vancouver’s most important transportation investments and contributes to long-term regional growth.

By 2050, the SkyTrain expansion is expected to generate over 10 million additional transit trips annually, reduce vehicle use, and support more sustainable urban development.

The power infrastructure design supports reliable transit operations, improves connectivity, and supports access to jobs, services, and housing.

Sustainability and Environmental Values

The project contributes to environmental stewardship by supporting electrified transit systems and reducing reliance on private vehicles.

By enabling reliable electric transit operations, the project helps lower greenhouse gas emissions and supports a transition toward low-carbon transportation.

Underground electrical infrastructure also reduces surface disruption and improves long-term system resilience.

Performance Highlights

• ~16 km of electrical infrastructure design
• 300+ RFIs managed with rapid response
• Early construction supported through phased delivery
• Coordinated multi-agency project environment

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