Big City LRT

I think my face is swollen from smiling. Attending the opening of these two new LRT stations today was truly a highlight of my time on council thus far.

The decision to build it was made by the previous council, and I commend former Cllrs Phair, Melnychuk, Nickel and Cavanaugh (and the returning mayor and councillors, of course) for their vision. I can only take a small measure of satisfaction from fighting successfully to have this extension open on time.

ETS officials I spoke with figure that several thousand Edmontonians turned up on the free train service, and I, like many, took a ride the full length of the line. I had and overheard many conversations about how positive this is for our city. Smiling citizens are a great thing to see as a councillor.

It was also nice to see such a heavy turnout of MLAs and MPs — from speaking with some I think they are comprehending that transit is incredibly important to Edmonton and its citizens, who are also their constituents of course.

One would hope that after seeing this level of public enthusiasm, we will finally see the kind of long-term commitments to transit infrastructure that Toronto and Vancouver have enjoyed for years from their provincial and federal representatives.

Finally, I should note that the improvements to bus service in the Southwest and from the West End to feed this LRT expansion are in my view as significant as the LRT line itself. In particular, the transit centre at Leger Park in Terwillegar opens tomorrow which will bring with it better service for most riders in the Southwest. Further improvement will follow in 2010 when the LRT gets to Southgate and Century Park.

We’re getting there.