Heading West – Refining LRT Plans For Valley Line Phase 2

Yesterday City Council updated and confirmed the plans for the West LRT line, including decisions on where to separate the train at key intersections and asking for more information on neighbourhood-specific concerns before we go to final build. It was an important day for west end neighbourhoods and our city as a whole.

Throughout this process, we heard a variety of perspectives about how to improve the west line that will one day connect downtown with West Edmonton Mall and beyond.

The grade separation discussion was certainly the most contentious. Rather than charging ahead with the initial route recommendation, Council sought out additional information on whether separating trains from traffic at specific intersections made sense. Through the public hearing process, and in open houses leading up to the Council meeting, we saw a lot of support for keeping the train above ground over 178 St and we heard significant opposition to the traffic underpass around 149 Street. Local businesses, residents and future investors were essentially united in their opinion that a tunnel at 149 & Stony Plain Road would stall the rejuvenation efforts in the area and cut the neighbouring communities in half.

While the decision was clear on grade separations, Council asked for additional information on whether there was a better location for the LRT station on 124 St and 104 Ave that might save some existing properties. We also asked for measures to to protect heritage trees and homes and gave direction for administration to work with MacEwan University to ensure a better – and safer – pedestrian experience for its students at 110 Street.

Overall, we heard loud and clear during the #yegcommute discussions that there is a need to improve the way Edmontonians move in and around our city. There is a clear desire for better, more efficient transit. The Transit Review, which will come to Council this year, will allow us to address concerns about timing, inefficient routes, and more strategic changes to bus system. The West LRT line will be an important backbone for this renewed transit system and yesterday’s decision will have a transformative effect on west Edmonton. Congestion is inevitable in a growing city, but without providing a variety of transportation options gridlock will only get worse, without the benefit of alternatives.

I’m confident we are heading in the right direction with the Valley Line West LRT decision. The recent announcement of $1.5 billion in provincial transit funding for Edmonton, coupled with a clear commitment from the federal government, means that a key piece of our transit network is within sight. We aim to start procurement for the new line this fall, and hopefully see shovels in the ground in 2019, with opening in the mid-2020s.

I’d like to thank everyone who shared their thoughts with us at the public hearing on Wednesday and during our #yegcommute conversation over the last 10 days. Your input is helping to shape how our city thinks, plans and builds for a city of a million people.