The Surrey-Langley SkyTrain extension will be completed a year later than planned and cost nearly $2 billion more than originally estimated, the provincial government announced Thursday, August 15.

In a press release announcing the upcoming start of construction and the selection of key contractors for the project, the government announced that the new line with 11 stations will not begin operations until the end of 2029.

This is one year later than the originally planned date of 2028.

In addition, it will cost almost 50 percent more than originally estimated.

The cost of the SkyTrain extension, originally slated to cost $4.01 billion, will now be $5.996 billion, the province said in a statement.

“Like all public and private sector infrastructure projects, the Surrey Langley SkyTrain project is being implemented at a time of significant market challenges in British Columbia, across Canada and around the world,” the statement said.

In addition to inflation, which reached a 40-year high less than two years ago, raw material prices, pressure on supply chains and problems on the labor market were also blamed for the increase in costs.

The original budget was approved in 2022.

“This has led to higher price offers from contractors,” the statement said.

“The populations of Surrey, Langley and other communities in Greater Vancouver are growing rapidly, and we are committed to building the infrastructure to meet that need,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Rob Fleming. “This project will transform the way people get around and help create a more affordable, livable and greener future for people in the region.”

Opponents of the NDP government reacted immediately to the news of the price increases.

“This $2 billion debacle is an absolute disgrace,” British Columbia Conservative Leader John Rustad said in a statement. “It is a direct result of this government’s blatant incompetence and inability to manage even the most basic aspects of a major infrastructure project.”

“This is not just a mismanagement problem; this is a breach of public trust,” added Elenore Sturko, Conservative MP for Surrey South. “The people of Surrey and Langley will be forced to bear the burden of this government’s failure.”

Langley Township Mayor Eric Woodward took less blame, but wondered whether the delay meant the recent housing and density reforms made “even less sense” than they did a few days ago.

“Construction cost inflation in recent years, which can be as high as 25 percent or even higher, is making any major infrastructure project more difficult,” Woodward said. “That’s why it remains so important to get capital projects moving faster.”

Preparatory work along the route has been underway for months: BC Hydro is laying power lines, surveying construction sites and conducting geotechnical investigations.

The actual start of construction is planned for this autumn.