Voters in Vancouver, B.C. and its neighboring communities on July 2 soundly defeated a 0.5% sales tax increase sought by TransLink and the region’s mayors to fund their $7.5-billion, 10-year capital plan, which includes two rail and one bridge megaproject that are potential P3s.

A source at the regional transportation agency says its poor showing in the plebiscite could set back capital planning by five to 15 years, depending on federal and provincial spending commitments and the availability of new funding at the regional level. Work continues on developing priority projects.