For Collingwood neighbourhood residents, it's been a hassle waiting for the end of major upgrades to their SkyTrain station.

The first phase began on the east stationhouse at Joyce-Collingwood Station in early 2016, wrapping up in October 2017.

The next phase on the west stationhouse started in early 2018.

But today, TransLink announced that the $19-million renovation on the western part of the busy transit hub is now complete.

It will open to the public on Saturday (June 15).

“We’d like to thank our customers for their patience, I’m sure they’ll find these important improvements well worth the wait,” TransLink CEO Kevin Desmond said in a news release. “Joyce-Collingwood commuters will benefit from more station capacity, greater accessibility, and a better overall experience at one of our busiest transit hubs.”

The makeover includes some colourful public art around the west stationhouse.

Carpeting, by Renée Van Halm, features a mosaic of geometric panels on the pavement and walls.

Van Halm painted Off Centre in the east stationhouse, so there's a connection there.

Joyce-Collingwood Station also has a new elevator and escalator, new signage, improved lighting, and better integration of pedestrian walkways, bicycle paths, bus exchanges, and SkyTrain.

The B.C. Parkway path has been relocated to make transportation through this area safer for both cyclists and walkers.

Joyce-Collingwood Station is very close to the constituency office of the local MLA, Health Minister Adrian Dix, who's pleased by the results of this large, two-phase construction project.

"As a proud Collingwood resident, I am thrilled to see that the upgrades will greatly help reduce congestion, air pollution, and improve the overall experience of people in this community who rely on transit—including better accessibility and improved pedestrian safety,” Dix said in the news release.

The province covered one-third of the cost, with TransLink contributing 17 percent.

The remaining 50 percent came from Ottawa as a result of the Liberal government's decision to boost its share of funding for rapid-transit projects over that of the previous Conservative government.

“We’re very pleased to have supported these important enhancements to one of Vancouver’s key transit stations,” Infrastructure and Communities Minister François-Philippe Champagne said in the news release. “Making public transportation more accessible, convenient, and enjoyable is essential to encouraging more people to leave their cars at home and reducing greenhouse gas emissions caused by gridlock.”