[Daveography]

City to update citizens as Valley Line West moves towards final design
January 22, 2018

Building on public engagement opportunities held last year, the City is inviting residents to a public information and engagement session to further update the community on planned adjustments and refinements to the preliminary design of Valley Line West.

Date: Wednesday, January 24, 2018
Time: 6 - 8:30 p.m.
Location: St. Paul’s Anglican Church, 10127 145 Street

Updated design options and recommendations will be presented based on technical requirements and prior feedback, and citizens will be able to provide additional input for a report that will go to Council. More information about the session can be found at edmonton.ca/valleylinewest.

Valley Line West—the 14 km light-rail extension to be built between downtown and Lewis Farms—will play an integral role in achieving the City’s vision for sustainable transportation and transit-oriented development that will help connect and support Edmonton’s communities.

Preliminary engineering for Valley Line West was completed in 2013. Since receiving Public Transit Infrastructure Fund dollars in Fall 2016, the project team has been reviewing and refining the design to address changes along the route. This work will help ensure the project is procurement-ready in 2018 so construction can begin as soon as additional funding is available.

Public input plays an essential role in shaping the Valley Line LRT, from the identification of the route in 2009, to these upcoming engagement sessions. Thousands of Edmontonians have been engaged through meetings, presentations, open houses and online platforms.

For more information:
edmonton.ca/valleylinewest

Media contact:
Jennifer Villeneuve
Communications Coordinator
Valley Line West, LRT Delivery
780-508-9167

 

[Daveography]

Updated Valley Line West design to be shown at Wednesday open house
As the City of Edmonton moves towards a finalized plan for the $1.8-billion west leg of the Valley Line LRT, residents will have a chance to see what adjustments have already been made to the preliminary design.

Residents are invited to a public information and engagement session from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at St. Paul’s Anglican Church (10127 145 St.)

The city said updated design options and recommendations will be presented based on technical requirements and prior feedback, and people will be able to provide additional input for a report that will go to city council.

The second stage of the Valley Line LRT will see a 14-kilometre stretch built between downtown and Lewis Farms in west Edmonton. Preliminary engineering for the west leg was done in 2013 and the city is now reviewing and refining the design since it’s been five years since the original work took place.

https://globalnews.ca/news/3983976/valley-line-lrt-west-public-information-session/

 

[Daveography]

LRT to west Edmonton should not be derailed, some city councillors say
Long-time advocates of an LRT line to west Edmonton are confident the Valley Line will go ahead as planned, despite a move by council to revisit bus rapid transit (BRT) options.

"LRT to the west end of the city is absolutely the right way to go," Coun. Andrew Knack told CBC News Wednesday. "To me, there's not a lot of merit to the idea of bringing in BRT to the west end."

However, Knack voted with his 12 colleagues, including Mayor Don Iveson, this week to ask city administration for a report comparing the costs of a BRT system versus the costs of developing an LRT line between downtown and Lewis Farms in the west of the city.

"I didn't see the harm in that," Knack said. "It allows some of the newer councillors, who maybe haven't been involved in these discussions for a long time, to have some of that additional context to that discussion."

Coun. Ben Henderson also voted in favour of having administration prepare the report. He said it will give council a better understanding for planning BRT in some parts of the city eventually.

Still, Henderson is convinced the city should stick with LRT for the west end.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/lrt-line-west-edmonton-bus-rapid-transit-1.4502867?cmp=rss

 

[Daveography]

City pitches LRT crossing at grade for congested 109 Street-104 Avenue intersection

Rendering of Stony Plain Road-149 Street underpass, facing northeast. Shown at west-end Valley Line LRT open house on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2018. SUPPLIED

Edmonton officials are recommending the city leave LRT tracks running at grade across downtown’s busy 109 Street-104 Avenue intersection, even though it’s already congested.

Project manager Eva Cheung said raised tracks would be an eyesore and tunnelling would be expensive, giving little extra value since traffic backs up from the High Level Bridge.

But the decision shocked some drivers at Wednesday’s open house at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, 10127 145 St.

“It’s a big bottleneck. As it is, that MacEwan intersection is congested,” said Salim Keshwani, wading through a packed church auditorium to see the city’s new plans.

“They should go underground,” added Joseph David, who often drives through that intersection. “It’s going to cost more, but Edmonton’s going to grow. They’re going to have to tear it up again and do it properly.”

City officials hosted the open house to update residents on plans for the 14-kilometre west leg of the Valley Line, from downtown to West Edmonton Mall, which is heading to a public hearing March 21.

Council asked officials to examine where the track should be elevated or tunnelled to avoid traffic snarls seen on the Metro Line before it goes to tender.

Officials are recommending the west LRT tracks be elevated over 170 and 178 streets.

On Wednesday, they also released a recommendation for 149 Street to be sunk, leaving the LRT tracks at grade along Stony Plain Road.

Concerned about businesses
That would have less impact along Stony Plain Road, a key redevelopment opportunity, but it would increase the amount of land the city needs to expropriate compared to at-grade intersection crossings.

“There’s two lines of businesses not there, one on each side of the road,” said Diane Kereluk, head of the local business association, looking at renderings on display.

http://edmontonjournal.com/news/loc...-congested-109-street-104-avenue-intersection

 

[chrisvazquez7]

I am quite surprised by their recommended interchange for 149 Street. That's going to really take away from the Main Street feel of the area. But I agree with the city on 109 Street. The problem with congestion on 109 Street is because of the High Level Bridge. A grade separation won't fix anything there.

 

[Daveography]

I'm with on both points, @chrisvazquez7. Traffic volumes are high, but so are speeds and it's a major pedestrian crossing. Anything that slows it down further and increases safety for those on foot is a good solution in my eyes.

149 I can't even believe that's what they proposed. I like Knack's suggestion to switch it to a one-way. It feels like the best compromise for conflicting concerns.

 

[Daveography]

Valley Line LRT‏ @yegvalleyLRT 11 minutes ago
Big news! You can check out a mock-up of the Light Rail Vehicle (LRV) that will be in service on the Valley Line. Feb 2-6, Bonnie Doon Mall parking lot, 9-5 daily. Come check it out!

 

[Daveography]

Display Hours for the Bombardier Light Right Vehicle for Valley Line
EDMONTON, AB – January 29, 2018 – TransEd and Bombardier Transportation are inviting the citizens of Edmonton to view firsthand the features of the new low-floor Light Rail Vehicle (LRV) that will be used for the Valley Line.

From Friday, Feb. 2 to Tuesday, Feb. 6, a fully-accessible mock-up of the new Bombardier LRV will be on display in the east lot of the Bonnie Doon Mall. Staff will be available to answer questions.

Open Hours:
Friday: 1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Monday: 12:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday: 12:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Please join us at the east parking lot of the Bonnie Doon Mall (82 Ave and 83 St) for the following activities:

• Fun activities and treats for the kids on the afternoon of Saturday, Feb. 3
• HOT 107 FM live broadcast remote from the site Feb. 3

Bombardier is holding a contest for the best group photo in front of the mock-up with a grand prize of $1,000 to the winning group.

For more information, visit our website http://transedlrt.ca/advisories or contact us via email at info@transedlrt.ca or by phone 780-224-0964.

 

[Daveography]

Edmonton firefighters’ union has ‘much concern’ over Valley Line LRT west
The president of the Edmonton Fire Fighters’ Union Local 209 spent 26 years on the front lines. And it’s based on that experience that Greg Holubowich stresses how “egress out of a fire station is very important.”

Holubowich spoke with Global Newsshortly after city planners released their recommendations on how the future Valley Line will travel from downtown to west Edmonton.

“I am surprised that the proposal is to stay in front of station No. 2.”

Just west of the city’s central business district sits Fire Station 2, which the union describes as one of the busiest in Edmonton.

A map showing the route of the future Valley LRT line going past Fire Station No. 2 in downtown Edmonton.
Graphic by Tonia Gloweski, Global News
The future Valley Line is planned to run right in front of the station on street-level tracks.

“Obviously, the ideal situation is not to have any impediments in front of a fire station,” Holubowich explained, adding “safety of the citizenry and our ability to respond in a timely fashion is of much concern.”

“That’s an important question. I’m sure it’s been raised at other points,” Mayor Don Iveson said.

https://globalnews.ca/news/3994330/edmonton-firefighters-valley-line-lrt/

Counterpoint: This Twitter thread:
https://twitter.com/timquerengesser/status/958185145541959680

 

[Daveography]

From the mock-up at Bonnie Doon this weekend.

 

[Daveography]

Sighhhh... if we're building this line to add to the vibrancy of our streets, demolishing the buildings and retail that create that vibrancy is the opposite direction. The room can be found, but the city is too chicken to sacrifice any SOV capacity for the LRT.

Western Cycle, United Way on the bulldozer list for proposed west LRT
Thirteen homes and more than 20 businesses are on Edmonton’s initial demolition list to accommodate the Valley Line LRT west, including well-known anchor tenants Western Cycle and the United Way.

That’s in addition to a dozen businesses and a three-storey apartment threatened by administration’s new plan for 149 Street. That goes to city council for debate March 21.

“I feel a little bitter about the whole thing,” said Wade Church, manager at National Audio Video on Stony Plain Road.

“Their plan is to go right through the middle of our store when there’s a derelict building right across the street,” Church said, pointing to the old Blue Chicago and the line of businesses beside it on the south side of Stony Plain Road at 142 Street. National Audio Video is part of an entire block of businesses slated for demolition on the north side of Stony Plain Road just west of 142 Street. It’s been there for 40 years.

http://edmontonjournal.com/business...y-on-the-bulldozer-list-for-proposed-west-lrt

 

[Daveography]

All aboard! Light rail vehicle for Valley Line unveiled by Bombardier
The train should soon be in the station.

Beginning in July, Bombardier expects to ship the first new Valley Line light rail vehicles and begin static testing (when the rail car is on the track, but doesn’t move).

By September, it will begin dynamic testing on the rail car (meaning it will move) on 1.7 km of the new route from downtown to Mill Woods.

“The next time I return to Edmonton is planned for the summer and that time I will also bring something better — the actual, fully operational first new south Valley Line LRT vehicle,” Benoît Brossoit, president of Bombardier Transportation’s Americas region, said Friday.

Brossoit was speaking at a public showing of a mock-up of the new low-floor light rail vehicles destined for the Valley Line at Bonnie Doon Shopping Centre, at 83 Street and Whyte Avenue, which is on the future LRT route.

The plan calls for passengers to be able to start boarding trains on the Valley Line on Dec. 15, 2020.

Each train is expected to have as many as seven cars and can accommodate 348 passengers, both seated and standing, and boasts wide floors and doors, and a low floor for easy access by people in wheelchairs.

http://edmontonjournal.com/news/loc...ehicle-for-valley-line-unveiled-by-bombardier

 

[Daveography]

Some business owners near tears while arguing against proposed underpass for LRT
Residents and business owners packed the West Jasper Sherwood Community League hall Tuesday evening, some near tears as they argued against a new underpass.

The 149 Street underpass would allow the proposed west LRT to remain at grade along Stony Plain Road, while mitigating traffic impacts at the busy intersection. But it would require extra land to the west of 149 Street, putting up to 20 businesses and a three-storey apartment building at risk.

That’s in addition to the 13 homes and 20 businesses threatened by the city’s initial land acquisition lists for the west LRT line.

“This is my total life. This is my investment, my everything,” said Klarice Monahan, owner of Pet Planet, who said the 10-year-old business allowed her to raise her two children on her own.

She was one of several business owners who spoke at the town hall-style meeting organized by the community to get more answers. “How is the city going to help me with this?” she asked.

Ward 1 Coun. Andrew Knack said he doesn’t have details regarding the land acquisition process yet, or what help might be available for businesses looking to relocate. He hopes it doesn’t come to that.

Now that he knows how much land would be necessary for the underpass option, Knack said he hopes an alternative will be found.

Local businesses are suggesting the city leave both the train and road at grade, then solve the traffic issue by making both Stony Plain Road and the parallel route, 100 Avenue, into one-way roads.

City officials are investigating that option, too. All options will go to a public hearing and debate at city council March 21.

http://edmontonjournal.com/news/loc...rs-arguing-against-proposed-underpass-for-lrt

Potential Valley Line LRT underpass could shut down 20 businesses, community leader says

A proposed LRT underpass at the intersection of 149th Street and Stony Plain Road could shut down 20 businesses and an apartment building, says a community leader. (City of Edmonton)

Business owners and residents in the area of 149th Street and Stony Plain Road are concerned about how the west Valley Line LRT expansion could change their community.

The city is exploring several options for the development in the area, including elevated, tunneled or street-level tracks. But community members are particularly worried about a fourth option — an underpass for cars.

The underpass would cross Stony Plain Road, allowing traffic on 149th Street to flow beneath it.

Other options for the LRT expansion include elevated, tunneled or street-level tracks. A new proposal suggests Stony Plain Road be turned into a westbound one-way. (City of Edmonton)

Constructing the underpass would require the expropriation of 20 businesses and one apartment building in the area, according to West Jasper/Sherwood Community League president Irene Blain.

The businesses include a TD Bank, London Drugs, Starbucks and local eatery Il Forno Ristorante.

"We could have up to 150 employees lose their job," Blain said.

"These businesses were the main staple for the residents in the surrounding area."

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/west-valley-line-lrt-expansion-underpass-1.4532765

 

[darwink]

They could at least of put a vinyl wrap on it in ETS colours

 

[Daveography]