Breaking Ground on Edmonton's Valley Line LRT

EDMONTON, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - April 22, 2016) - The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, the Honourable Brian Mason, Minister of Transportation and Minister of Infrastructure, and His Worship Don Iveson, Mayor of Edmonton, joined together today to break ground on the 13-km southeast portion of the Valley Line LRT. Today's event marks the largest infrastructure project in Edmonton's history.

The Valley Line LRT project involves construction of a low-floor, urban-style LRT, which will run between Mill Woods Town Centre and the downtown core. Construction of the Valley Line LRT - Stage 1 is projected to generate $3.1 billion in total economic output, including nearly $1 billion in wages and salaries and just under 13,000 full-time equivalent jobs.

Construction of this new type of LRT involves building smaller-scale stops that are spaced closer together than on the existing LRT. The system will provide better links to a greater number of destinations, and more direct transit, pedestrian and cyclist connections. It will operate with reduced speeds in congested areas, with reduced right-of-way and fewer barriers.

Phase One of the Valley Line will feature 11 street-level stops, as well as an elevated station with a 1,400-spot Park and Ride facility and a full transit centre located in the Wagner industrial area. Other highlights include the new Tawatinâ Bridge across North Saskatchewan River and a short tunnel from the north face of the River Valley through to the Quarters redevelopment, a future mixed-use residential and commercial development area. Passengers will be able to access the existing Metro and Capital LRT lines by transferring at an interchange point at Churchill Square.

The Valley Line is scheduled to open to the public in December 2020.

Quotes

"As a former bus driver and city councillor, I know how important affordable and efficient transit infrastructure is to allow Canadians to get to work on time and back home at the end of a long day. Public transit infrastructure is what connects people to their communities and allows them to be active participants, both socially and economically. This vital public transportation improvement project will make Edmonton a stronger, more inclusive and sustainable city."

The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"Our government is committed to supporting public transit across Alberta. The Valley Line is an exciting next step towards creating sustainable, accessible transit options throughout metropolitan Edmonton. We're pleased to be working with our regional partners to help make this shared vision a reality."

The Honourable Brian Mason, Minister of Transportation and Minister of Infrastructure

"The Valley Line will be a whole new kind of LRT; one that integrates seamlessly with the diverse communities it serves, supports our city's rapid growth, spurs development and connects Edmontonians to our beloved River Valley."

His Worship Don Iveson, Mayor of Edmonton

Quick Facts

• The Government of Canada is contributing up to $400 million for this project.
  • Up to $150 million has been committed through the Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component-National and Regional Projects (PTIC-NRP).
  • Up to $250 million has been committed through the P3 Canada Fund.
  • The combined federal funding from both of these sources is limited to 25% of the project's eligible costs.
• The Government of Alberta will help finance up to $600 million towards this project.
  • Approximately $274 million under GreenTRIP over the duration of the project.
  • Up to $150 million to match the federal government's PTIC-NRP contribution.
  • Up to $176 million in an interest-free loan to be repaid by the city over 10 years, fully backed by the Alberta Capital Finance Authority (ACFA).
• The City of Edmonton is contributing up to $800 million towards the total project cost of $1.8 billion.
• The Valley Line LRT - Stage 1 will be designed, built, financed, operated and maintained through a public-private partnership with TransEd Partners, a consortium made up of Bechtel, Ellisdon, Bombardier, and Fengate Capital Management.

Associated Links

To learn more about Budget 2016: http://www.budget.gc.ca/2016/docs/plan/ch2-en.html#_Toc446106678

To learn more about the Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component - National and Regional Projects, please visit http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/nrp-pnr-prog-eng.html

Twitter: @INFC_eng

Web: Infrastructure Canada