Surrey-Langley SkyTrain Project Hits Milestone with Launching Gantries

Construction of the Surrey-Langley SkyTrain elevated guideway is moving into a dramatic new phase. Less than a year since work began in November 2024, the project has launched its first launching gantries, massive specialized lifting machines designed to install the structure that will carry trains between Surrey and Langley.

Four Gantries, One Mission

The 16-kilometre Expo Line extension will rely on four launching gantries to build the elevated guideway, lifting more than 4,400 precast concrete guideway segments. Each segment weighs about 28 tonnes, manufactured at a dedicated precast facility in Campbell Heights.

These cranes are feats of engineering: each gantry is over 100 metres long and weighs more than 440 tonnes. With their caterpillar-like movement, they raise segments, set them into place, then inch forward to the next support column — repeating this cycle as part of the guideway segment installation.

Meet the Gantries

Each gantry has a unique name and assignment:

• Fleetwood Flyer – Starting at Bakerview–166 Street Station through Fleetwood to 152 Street Station, lifting more than 1,000 segments.

• Langley Launcher – Operating from Hillcrest–184 Street Station to Langley City Centre Station, responsible for 1,350 segments.

• Surrey Sprinter – Beginning soon at 152 Street Station, moving west to King George Station with 900 segments.

• Clayton Clipper – Launching later this year, handling 1,150 segments between Hillcrest–184 Street and Bakerview–166 Street.

Together, the Fleetwood Flyer, Langley Launcher, Surrey Sprinter, and Clayton Clipper will advance the project segment by segment until the full guideway is complete.

How They Work

The assembly and movement of each launching gantry is a carefully staged process. After assembly at its starting point, each gantry is tested, then begins active construction. Trucks deliver precast segments from the Campbell Heights plant, feeding the gantries as they lift each segment into place with a trolley crane and hydraulics.

As project officials explain: “The Surrey-Langley SkyTrain project is using four massive launching gantries to install over 4,400 precast concrete guideway segments along the 16 km Expo Line extension. The guideway segments, each around 28 tonnes, are being lifted into place by a trolley crane and hydraulics as part of the gantry assembly process.”

Looking Ahead

If construction stays on track, the gantries will complete their work by Summer 2027. Systems installation, station construction and testing will follow, with full Expo Line service between King George Station and Langley City Centre expected by the end of 2029.

When finished, commuters will enjoy fast connections: just 65 minutes from Langley City Centre to Waterfront Station, and only 22 minutes to King George Station.

For more on related infrastructure, see Infrastructure BC’s project page and B.C. Hydro’s support works.

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