[CplKlinger]

Summary of Capital Line South LRT 2025 Construction Progress With 2025 coming to an end, we wanted to provide a summary of the significant progress achieved in the first year of major construction on the Capital Line South Extension (Phase 1). Check out this drone video that combines construction progress in 2025 with final renderings. For a photo “show & tell”, below is a highlight of the major milestones achieved in 2025 (from north to south) at the key construction sites along the alignment. 1. 23 Avenue LRT Underpass Ledcor, the contractor, successfully completed piling for the south portion of the LRT underpass (installing approximately 930 piles). With piling complete in this section, ongoing concrete pours will continue throughout 2025 and into 2026 for the base slabs. Construction for the north portion of the LRT underpass (north of 23 Avenue) is anticipated to begin sometime in 2026. A major lane shift at the intersection will be associated with this work. 2. Blackmud Creek LRT Bridge Ledcor completed earthworks and site grading earlier this year in this environmentally sensitive area. Most recently, Ledcor completed piling for the LRT bridge. The shared-use path detour was also established on the east shoulder of the northbound roadway bridge. In 2026, Ledcor anticipates achieving another major milestone in this area with the installation of bridge girders, which support the structure of the bridge. 3. Twin Brooks Utility Complex Preparation work, including initial excavation and site grading, was completed at the utility complex north of 12 Avenue on the east side of 111 Street. This allowed critical underground utilities to be installed, such as duct banks, which are needed to supply power to the LRT. Piling is anticipated to start in early 2026. 4. 111 Street between 12 and 9 Avenue Ledcor successfully completed roadwork and drainage along the east side of 111 Street between 12 Avenue and 9 Avenue. This allowed traffic to be shifted onto the new northbound roadway in November. Around the same time, Ledcor permanently closed the 111 Street entrance to the Esso gas station, and began working on the west side of 111 Street where the future Twin Brooks LRT station will be built north of 9 Avenue. In 2026, Ledcor anticipates full closures at 9 Avenue and 12 Avenue west, but commits to maintaining at least one access into the neighbourhood at all times. 5. Twin Brooks Station In late 2025, site grading and earthworks began at the site of the Twin Brooks LRT station north of 9 Avenue. Work will continue in this area throughout 2026, with the installation of piles for the new station. 6. Anthony Henday Drive LRT Bridge Earthworks and site preparation occurred in early 2025 for the LRT bridge over Anthony Henday Drive. The north and south embankments were prepped during the spring and summer. Drilled piles, which have allowed critical foundation work to start, were installed this fall. In 2026, Ledcor anticipates installing bridge spans over the highway. 7. Llew Lawrence Operations and Maintenance Facility (OMF) Ledcor completed major foundational work including piling for the massive 230,000 square foot facility. The footprint of the facility is now clearly visible. This facility is critical for storing and maintaining trains as Edmonton’s LRT system continues to grow. In 2026, structural steel will be installed as the building starts to take shape. 8. Heritage Valley North Station Preparation work began for the new station connecting to the Heritage Valley Transit Centre and Park & Ride, the future south terminus of the line. Piling was completed for the station, and piling and site grading was finished for the utility complex just north of the station. Work will continue in this area throughout 2026. Thank you again to all of the communities along 111 Street and south of Anthony Henday Drive for your ongoing patience during construction. We know it’s disruptive and causes frustration, and we’re very appreciative of your understanding. Overall, significant construction progress occurred in 2025, which sets up for another big year in 2026. To stay informed on the project, we encourage residents and businesses to subscribe to our ongoing construction notices by visiting the Capital Line South project page. Sincerely, Capital Line South Extension Project Team

 

[Edmcowboy11]

So if they are complete with the pilings with the South part of the tunnel at 23rd Avenue and they say they are going to begin the north section of the tunnel does that mean that they will be ready to cover part of the South section to reroute 23rd Avenue so they can close the current reroute?

 

[The_Cat]

I wonder if southbound traffic on 23 Avenue could be shifted east immediately south of Century Park Station. That would help with excavation on the north side, save for 23 Avenue.

 

[The_Cat]

 

[IanO]

City names preferred proponent for high-floor LRT vehicles

December 19, 2025 The City of Edmonton has named Hyundai Rotem Company as its preferred proponent to supply high-floor light-rail vehicles for use on the Capital Line and Metro Line. “We’re pleased to be moving to the next step in the procurement process for the light-rail vehicles the City needs to maintain and expand its transit service,” said Bruce Ferguson, Branch Manager, LRT Expansion and Renewal. “We look forward to working with Hyundai Rotem Company to deliver this crucial infrastructure to support Edmonton’s growth to a city of two million people.” Design and manufacturing of 40 high-floor light-rail vehicles is anticipated to begin in 2026, with vehicles arriving in 2029 and 2030. The City followed a rigorous, fair and competitive international procurement process. Two of the three bidders shortlisted by the City submitted proposals to supply the vehicles. Hyundai Rotem Company received the highest combined technical and financial score. The vehicles will replace the City’s fleet of 37 Siemens U2 vehicles, which are near the end of their service life. Additional vehicles are being procured to accommodate service growth for the Capital Line South Extension and Metro Line Northwest Extension. The City is aiming to award the contract in early 2026.

For more information: edmonton.ca/capitalsw Media contact:

 

[Barnaby]

Confirms my last post on this. Everything I've heard indicates that Hyundai Rotem and COE have developed a good working relationship on the VLW procurement. Looking forward to seeing what they come up with.

 

[yeggator]

If the rumours are true that they’ll be longer cars, 40 new vehicles to replace the 37 U2s will add almost 3 extra 5-car trains-worth of capacity, and then some with fewer cabs increasing passenger capacity on each train.

 

[realkevbo]

I hope the High Level Streetcar guys can get their hands on a U2 before they disappear forever. Would be incredible to finally see one of those crossing the HLB in the original '78 livery.

 

[EdwardEdm]

If the rumours are true that they’ll be longer cars, 40 new vehicles to replace the 37 U2s will add almost 3 extra 5-car trains-worth of capacity, and then some with fewer cabs increasing passenger capacity on each train.

Depends if that 40 includes the expansion cars for the SLRT and NLRT to Blatchford. NLRT alone was 6 cars.
Edit: original number was 53 cars, which would be about 42- 31m cars.

 

[fromyeg]

My guess is we end up with Hyundai Rotem given Canada’s positive trading relationship with South Korea () and the CoE’s preexisting relationship with them, but we will see.

Wow. I made a correct prediction.

 

[Edmcowboy11]

Well this is very interesting to hear. I like the movement to Hyundai rotem and I look forward to seeing what kind of cars they have to present for the high floor line.

 

[IanO]

I hope the High Level Streetcar guys can get their hands on a U2 before they disappear forever. Would be incredible to finally see one of those crossing the HLB in the original '78 livery.

Isn't there the OG prototype (red/organge?) U2 kicking around somewhere?

 

[EdwardEdm]

Isn't there the OG prototype (red/organge?) U2 kicking around somewhere?

There is a 1965 built U1 prototype at the Frankfurt Tram museum, which was the prototype for the U2.
If you're talking about Hannover 601 that the ERRS had, they repatriated it to Hannover nearly 10 years ago. It was never a U2 prototype of any sort however, and is actually newer by a few years than the U2 design, which dates to 1968.

 

[Yegpeople]

Depends if that 40 includes the expansion cars for the SLRT and NLRT to Blatchford. NLRT alone was 6 cars.
Edit: original number was 53 cars, which would be about 42- 31m cars.

Do you know why order was reduced from 53 to 40 ? Lenght of cars cannot be the that much different

 

[CplKlinger]

Do you know why order was reduced from 53 to 40 ? Lenght of cars cannot be the that much different

The quantity was reduced when they reduced the scope on a bunch of other things (smaller phase 1 OMF, grade-level station at Heritage Valley, etc.) to keep the project within its original budget. They've said they might order more if they secure funding from another order of government, but I dunno if that option is in the contract here or not.