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Centre LRT Study

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The Central LRT route was identified in the City’s Long Term LRT Network Plan (adopted by City Council in 2009) and will provide opportunities for seamless connections between Downtown, the Alberta Legislature, the University of Alberta, Strathcona, Bonnie Doon, east Edmonton and the wider LRT network.

Centre LRT Study - Connecting Edmonton

Where We Are In The Study

Route Segments Approved

The Downtown (102 Avenue to the North Saskatchewan River) and Whyte Avenue (83 Street to 109 Street) segments of the Centre LRT route were approved for further concept level planning by City Council on August 21, 2018 (Item 6.7).

Since the preferred route was shared for feedback in February 2018, the City has learned that the river crossing and the route through the University of Alberta Area/ The Garneau community requires further study and stakeholder involvement.

In keeping with our commitment to continue to explore options and possible approaches to effectively address any issues raised by the public and stakeholders, the river crossing and route through the University of Alberta area/Garneau community segments were not taken with the rest of the preferred route for City Council approval.

Next Steps

  • Continue consultation with stakeholders in the University of Alberta area/ The Garneau community
  • Conduct a river crossing study to further understand the feasibility of the High Level Bridge to continue to accommodate cars, pedestrian and cyclists
    • The study will also help Administration understand the costs, constructability, and life expectancy of a new bridge compared to the scope and cost of required upgrades to the existing High Level Bridge
    • The study will explore site constraints and consider river crossing opportunities via a new bridge or the High Level Bridge to accommodate transportation network needs for all modes
  • Initiate concept planning for the approved segments and leverage this planning phase to better inform the identification of the route requirements through the University of Alberta area/ Garneau community, and to inform the next phase of engagement for the entire project

Note: there is no timeline for construction of the route.

Route Map

Downtown *Approved

The central LRT route will connect with the Valley Line West LRT at 102 Avenue and 107 Street. It will head south on 107 Street, turning west on 99 Avenue and then south to a bridge river crossing.

Whyte Avenue *Approved

Whyte Avenue emerged as the preferred east/west route; however, this comes with challenges. This segment will provide better connections to key destinations. Tradeoffs need to be considered to manage potential impacts to parking, trees, medians, pedestrian space and vehicle space.

Crossing the River *To be determined

A river crossing study is underway to help determine the preferred river crossing option.

University of Alberta Area *To be determined

Consultation with stakeholders in the University of Alberta/Garneau community area will continue to help determine a preferred route in this area.

East Edmonton *Deferred to future study

The preferred route will be determined to an end point in the Bonnie Doon area. Route options farther east revealed more in-depth studies. This work will be deferred to a future study.

Preferred LRT Centre Map

Preferred Route Map

How Preferred Routes are Determined

How did this become the preferred route?

Potential corridors for LRT projects are evaluated based on criteria determined by:

  • City technical team
  • City policy
  • Stakeholder
  • Public input

Technical criteria fall under these categories:

  • Financial
  • Business
  • Community and Social
  • Sustainable Urban Integration
  • Transportation
  • Environment
  • Feasibility/Constructability

Specific criteria include:

  • Serves community destinations
  • Local access
  • Property impacts
  • Pedestrian connections
  • Connections to transit
  • Impact on auto and goods vehicles
  • Impact on parking
  • Impact on parks and open spaces
  • Construction impacts

City policy provides guidance and public input helps inform and identify important destinations, as well as concerns and opportunities in the study area.

Technical Analysis

Technical analysis conducted a corridor screening of the entire Centre LRT Study project area including every possible street and avenue between 104 Avenue and 76 Avenue and between 116 Street to 83 Street.

Initial Screenings: Initial screening process removed corridors that had significant feasibility issues. These include steep gradients, narrow corridor widths, constructability issues, significant environmental issues and other impacts.

Low Performance: Evaluation removed lower/poor performing segments like segments that performed poorly against a single category or across multiple categories.

Viable Routes: With remaining segments, potential routes were developed and further evaluated against project categories such as route length, the potential for providing stops close to key destinations and to existing and planned transit.

Preferred Route: The preferred route performed the best at both a route and segment level against the predetermined criteria. While there are trade-offs that have to be made for every option, the preferred route is considered to minimize the impacts and best meet the project objectives. The City will continue to explore options and possible approaches to mitigate any issues raised by the public and stakeholders prior to City Council approval of the route.

City Policy

Route selection is guided by City policies including:

Public Engagement

Since June 2017, the Centre LRT Study project team has been gathering input to better understand local perspectives on the future route. Engagement activities included public events, street team interactions, one-on-one meetings and surveys.

Connecting to Strathcona, Downtown, Bonnie Doon and East Edmonton

The Centre LRT Study will determine the best LRT route to connect Edmontonians and visitors to Strathcona, Downtown, Bonnie Doon and east Edmonton.

The City’s LRT Network Plan includes six LRT lines extending from Downtown to the Northwest, Northeast, East, Southeast, South and West sections of the city. This new central LRT route will provide the missing east connection completing the LRT Network Plan. It will also enhance Edmonton as an extraordinary place to live, work, play and visit by increasing sustainable transportation mode choices that both support our City’s growth and consider our environmental footprint.

LRT Network Map

This new central LRT route will provide the missing east connection completing the LRT Network Plan.

About the Project

The Centre LRT Study will research possible street and avenue options to determine the best location for a Central LRT route, stop locations along the way and the optimum track alignment (where the tracks fit in the roadway).

This new LRT route will use a low‐floor, urban‐style LRT that operates at street‐level in dedicated lanes, using traffic signals to flow with traffic through intersections. It features frequent, sidewalk‐level stops and can fit seamlessly into communities. It is the same LRT system as the Valley Line LRT currently being constructed between Mill Woods and Downtown. It is intended to connect with the Valley Line in east Edmonton and will cross the river to connect again Downtown.

Current LRT Projects

Related Documents

High Level Bridge Historic Resource Fact Sheet

High Level Bridge Executive Summary

February 7, 2018 - Structural feasibility study and conceptual bridge modification strategy report.

Low Floor LRT Fact Sheet

Urban LRT

LRT Network Plan and using new low-floor LRT vehicles.

Stay Informed

Centre LRT Study

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Investing in Canada

For More Information

Centre LRT Study

Telephone

780-496-4874
Email centreLRTstudy@edmonton.ca

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