Vancouver International Airport (YVR) broke ground last week on a multi-year expansion that will encompass 75 major projects, totaling $9.1 billion, over the next 20 years.
Several of the projects will involve the airport’s terminals. Construction is underway on an expansion to the international pier, known as Pier D. That project will be the airport’s largest terminal expansion since 1996. Featuring a glassed-in island forest that will allow travelers to see the weather in the center of the terminal, the project will also add eight wide-body gates, four bridged and four remote stand operation gates. It will also add digital art, energy-savings devices and new food and beverage options.
Over the coming years, there will be expansions to the domestic and U.S. piers. Some of the new capacity will travel via remote stand operations. Those passengers will travel through YVR as usual with access to all standard amenities. Then, they will travel on an electrical, premium bus to and from the aircraft, boarding via a special covered accessible ramp.
“We are experiencing record growth at YVR as we deliver on our mission to connect British Columbia to the world, and these ambitious expansion projects will further position YVR as a world-class connecting hub,” says Craig Richmond, president and CEO of the Vancouver Airport Authority.
Other projects include a new central utilities building, and a six-story parkade that will include an automated guidance system directing drivers to the nearest open stall, electric vehicle charging stations, a rainwater harvesting system and a fully enclosed walkway from International Arrivals. It will replace an old value lot.
The expansion projects are expected to significantly increase employment and economic impact in the region, according to airport and civic leaders from the region. They gathered Friday for a groundbreaking event.
“YVR is completely in focus with our national priority to improve infrastructure as a way to deliver better services to Canadians and to provide a foundation for stronger trade connections to the world,” says Ken Hardie, a member of the House of Commons from Fleetwood-Port Kells. “We’re setting the table for trade and prosperity that will continue to pay dividends long after the construction phase has been completed.”
YVR served 24.2 million passengers in 2017. That is expected to grow to 32 million, an increase of more than 30 percent, by 2022. More information can be found at: http://www.yvr.ca/en/passengers/construction.
