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On Friday, VIA Rail Canada Inc. completed a $6.9 million project to restore VIA’s heritage train station in Vancouver, British Columbia.

“We continue to transform passenger rail in Canada with new stations, tracks, trains and technology,” said VIA Rail board member David Hoff in a prepared statement.

The project required preservation of the “heritage” features of the building, which was built in 1919. Canada’s government designated the building a heritage rail station in 1991.

Platform canopies and lighting were improved along the track where trains arrive and depart, and station columns were repaired in 2010.  Then, a full restoration of the building began. Exterior masonry was repointed and cleaned, the roof rebuilt, exterior windows and doors restored or replaced, security added, and the iconic “Pacific Central” sign on the roof stabilized, VIA Rail officials said.

“These improvements will not only benefit the many travelers who use Vancouver Station, but bring economic benefits to local and regional businesses and the community,” said Wai Young, a member of Parliament for South Vancouver.

The project was funded in part with $2.3 million from Canada’s economic stimulus plan as part of the government’s $923 million investment in VIA Rail to improve passenger-rail services. (All dollar figures are in Canadian dollars.) Other projects being funded through the federal investment program include upgrades to facilities, stations, equipment and infrastructure.