2026 Mid-Season LRT Construction Update

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LRT expansion plays a critical role in enhancing mobility and access for Edmontonians and will transform the way people live, work and play in the city for decades to come.

The following update is prepared twice per year to help City Council and Edmontonians stay informed on the progress being made to advance LRT expansion and renewal across our city. It provides an overview of the current stage of each major LRT project, work completed in the first half of 2026, anticipated timelines for construction and current/upcoming work Edmontonians will see and experience over the coming months.

Anticipated Project Timelines

Valley Line West - Downtown to Lewis Farms

Budget

$2.6 billion

Completed work (January to July 2026):

Valley Line West is a 14-kilometre LRT extension from downtown to Lewis Farms, and is the second stage of the Valley Line. This extension will include 14 stops and two stations. In 2026, Marigold Infrastructure Partners (MIP), the contractor designing and building Valley Line West, is focused on completing the majority of the remaining roadwork along the alignment. This would mark a significant milestone for the project, getting many of the roads into their final permanent traffic configuration.

So far in 2026, notable work has included:

Drainage, road and track work on 102 Avenue between 102 Street and 107 Street
- 104 Street and 102 Avenue intersection completed and reopened to traffic in mid-July
Completed sections of roadwork along 87 Avenue between 159 Street and Anthony Henday Drive
Installation of the Stony Plain Road bridge LRV barrier railing
Installation of Glenora Stop platform canopy steel and decorative wood
Installation of public art at Gerry Wright Operations and Maintenance Facility
Most structural steel installed on the WEM and Misericordia elevated stations
Installation of timber canopy underway at Misericordia elevated station

MIP’s look-ahead video outlining work planned for 2026.

Hyundai Rotem Company (HRC) is supplying 46 low-floor light rail vehicles (LRVs) for the Valley Line, which will be compatible along the entire Valley Line alignment. The first LRV arrived in Edmonton in summer 2025, following months of testing in South Korea. Additional LRVs have since arrived in Edmonton and delivery will continue into 2027.

Partner Relations/Public Updates

The City and MIP connect regularly with community members and businesses affected by LRT construction. Outreach occurs year-round and includes business outreach, regular meetings and presentations to community leagues and other interested groups.

Stay up to date with LRT news from the City of Edmonton and construction updates from Marigold Infrastructure Partners. For more information, visit the Valley Line West project website.

For work happening in downtown, sign up for the City’s Downtown Construction Newsletter.

Current/upcoming work

MIP is working along the majority of the alignment in 2026, including:

Continuing drainage, road and track work on 102 Avenue between 102 Street and 107 Street (102 Avenue full closure until the end of 2026)
Completion of the 106 Street and 102 Avenue intersection, which is scheduled to open in August. Other intersections will be reopened as they become available.
Continuing work on the Gerry Wright Operations and Maintenance Facility and Lewis Farms Storage Facility
Continuing work on the LRT stops, and WEM and Misericordia elevated stations
Continuing roadwork along 87 Avenue between 159 Street and Anthony Henday Drive (single lane in each direction until the end of 2026)
Ongoing rail installation on Anthony Henday Drive LRT bridge
Continuing track slab construction and laying track along the alignment
Continuing street light installation
Continuing perimeter wall installation on utility complexes

Valley Line West construction is anticipated to be complete in 2028, followed by an extensive testing and commissioning phase to ensure safety and reliability before the fully integrated Valley Line opens for service. The duration of the testing and commissioning phase is unknown at this time.

Lewis Farms Storage Facility

Exterior cladding is complete on the Lewis Farms Storage Facility.

Most of the mechanical and electrical work has been completed inside the facility, and kitchen cabinets and washroom fittings are being installed in the second-level office areas. Outside the facility, train signals and LRV doors have been installed, and the rail and switch machines for the track crossovers are being installed. Cabinets in the traction power substation (TPSS) rooms have been installed and work is ongoing for the TPSS.

Gerry Wright Operations and Maintenance Facility

Construction at the Gerry Wright Operations and Maintenance Facility on 75 Street is ongoing. Work includes installing OCS poles, overhead lines, switch machines and track crossovers in the south yard. Crossovers have been installed to connect the two operations facilities by rail. Inside the facility, most mechanical and electrical work has been completed. Monorail cranes and in-ground LRV lifts have also been installed. Installation of the pedestal tracks, paint booth and wash bay in the maintenance area is being completed, and work is underway to complete the finishings in the office blocks and lunch areas in the building. The public art on the outside of the building has been installed.

Work along Stony Plain Road

Stony Plain Road bridge pedestrian rail has been installed
Most track slab is complete between the Stony Plain Road bridge and the Grovenor/142 Street Stop
Installation of Glenora Stop platform canopy steel and decorative wood
Ongoing work on LRT stops and utility complexes

Construction along 102 Avenue downtown
104 Avenue in its final traffic configuration
Future Utility Complex
Stony Plain Road bridge over Groat Road
Gerry Wright Operations and Maintenance Facility-B
Lewis Farms Storage Facility
Glenora Stop
WEM Station construction along 87 Avenue
Work along 87 Avenue west of 178 Street
Work along 87 Avenue near 189 Street
LRT bridge over Anthony Henday Drive
First LRV arrives in Edmonton from South Korea

Metro Line Northwest (Phase 1) - NAIT to Blatchford

Budget

$291 million

Completed work (January to July 2026):

Metro Line Northwest from NAIT to Blatchford is a critical mass transit connection into the city’s downtown core. The 1.6-kilometre high-floor extension includes “urban” LRT design features for a more seamless integration with the developing Blatchford community.

Phase 1 of the extension opened on January 20, 2024, with service to the NAIT/Blatchford Market Station (replacing the former temporary NAIT Station). Further north, Blatchford Gate Station will open when the criteria for the City’s Transit Service Standards (Policy C539A) is met. The new stations have longer platforms which increase capacity from three-car trains up to five-car trains, helping with future ridership demand.

In 2025, public art was installed at the site of the former temporary NAIT Station, adjacent to the new accent walls, natural vegetation and shared-use path that were added in 2024 to revitalize the area. Bruno Canadien, a member of the Deh Gáh Got’ı ́é Dene First Nation, was selected by the Edmonton Arts Council to contribute public art to the area as part of the project. Bruno is a multidisciplinary visual artist who incorporates Indigenous presence, kinship and relationality in the contemporary context and has been featured in many local and national exhibits.

In 2026, an event will be held with funding partners and many other key interested parties to celebrate the opening of Phase 1 and the newly-installed artwork.

Current/upcoming work (Phase 2):

With Phase 1 complete, it sets the stage for the future phases of the Metro Line Northwest.

As part of the 2023-2026 Capital Budget, $20 million has been approved to acquire land to accommodate future construction of Phase 2, a 4.2-kilometre extension from Blatchford to Castle Downs. In 2026, members of the City’s real estate team continue to connect with affected property owners, and are working with them towards voluntary property acquisition. Phase 2 construction funding has not been secured, so there is no firm timeline for this project at this time.

For more information, visit Metro Line Northwest.

NAIT/Blatchford Market Station (with solar panels)
Blatchford Gate Station (with solar panels)
Newly-installed artwork by Bruno Canadien at the former NAIT Station
Aerial of the former temporary NAIT Station (East Facing)
Aerial of the former temporary NAIT Station (West Facing)
Shared-use path leading to the NAIT/Blatchford Market Station

Capital Line South (Phase 1) - Century Park to Ellerslie Road

Budget

$1.4 billion

Completed work (January to July 2026):

Capital Line South (Phase 1) is a 4.5-kilometre high-floor LRT extension from Century Park Station to north of Ellerslie Road. It will help serve the growing population of south and southwest Edmonton. In 2024, Capital Line Design-Build Ltd., a member of the Ledcor Group of Companies, with AECOM as its design partner, was awarded the Design-Build contract for Phase 1. Ledcor began major construction in 2025. Construction is anticipated to be completed in 2029, followed by testing and commissioning.

Thus far in 2026, notable work has included:

Completed piling and roof panels for the south portion of the LRT underpass at 23 Avenue (approximately 930 piles installed)
Completed piling and center span girder installation for the Blackmud Creek LRT bridge
Installed tracks at 12 Avenue west of 111 Street
Site preparation for the Twin Brooks Utility Complex and Twin Brooks station
Completed piling, pier construction and installation of the north and south bridge girders for the Anthony Henday Drive LRT bridge
Completed foundation work for Llew Lawrence Operations and Maintenance Facility
Site preparation for Heritage Valley North station

To stay informed on the project, we encourage residents/businesses to subscribe to the City’s ongoing construction notices by visiting the Capital Line South project website.

Current/upcoming work:

Major construction continues along 111 Street at 23 Avenue, Blackmud Creek, between 19 Avenue and 9 Avenue and near Anthony Henday Drive. Notable ongoing/upcoming work includes:

Ongoing concrete pours, waterproofing and backfilling over the roof panels on the south portion of the LRT underpass at 23 Avenue
Ongoing major lane shift at 23 Avenue/111 Street intersection (all lanes remain open); Phase 2 major lane shift anticipated in late summer (all lanes will remain open)
Prepare for the LRT underpass north portal construction (north of 23 Avenue) in fall 2026
Ongoing drainage work, roadwork and trackwork on the west side of 111 Street between 19 and 9 Avenue
Ongoing foundation and underground work for Twin Brooks station
Ongoing foundation and underground work for Heritage Valley North station
Preparatory work for the girder and arch steel installation for the Anthony Henday Drive LRT bridge
Ongoing structural steel installation and roof decking for Llew Lawrence Operations and Maintenance Facility

Blackmud Creek Bridge Girder Installation

In May, Ledcor successfully completed the installation of 12 girders for the Blackmud Creek LRT Bridge.

Blackmud Creek LRT Bridge, Girder Install Timelapse Video showing crews completing the work over 5 days.

23 Avenue LRT underpass and major lane shift at intersection
23 Avenue LRT underpass base (looking north)
BMC LRT bridge girder installed
12 Avenue west intersection construction
Twin Brooks Utility Complex north of 12 Avenue
Prep work for the Twin Brooks Station
Prep work for the Anthony Henday Drive LRT bridge
Work on the Llew Lawrence Operations and Maintenance Facility
Prep for the Heritage Valley North LRT Station

LRT Renewal Program

Each year, the LRT Renewal Program focuses on replacing aging infrastructure to keep the existing transit service operating safely and smoothly. This work can vary from smaller projects, like replacing deteriorating concrete and platform warning tiles, to major projects like station redevelopments. This is what we call our “TLC for LRT” work.

Timelapse of track rehabilitation at 51 Avenue and 111 Street

At-Grade Crossing Rehabilitation

In 2026, crews performed at-grade crossing track rehabilitation to address aging infrastructure and improve the longevity of Edmonton’s LRT system. Over time, LRT tracks can experience wear and tear due to the frequency of vehicle traffic. Rehabilitation work was successfully completed at the 51 Avenue and 111 Street intersection in June. The intersection was closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic for approximately five days to complete the work.

103A Avenue and 99 Street Pedway

In 2024, construction began on the underground pedway from Churchill LRT Station to the Station Lands development north of 104 Avenue. The new pedway will help grow the existing pedway system to the north and provide access to key destinations in the city’s downtown core, including the new Station Lands development, and 103A Avenue/104 Avenue via a new street-level “pop-up” access (between CN Tower and the Royal Alberta Museum).

In spring 2026, a major milestone was reached when the tunnel roof was completed allowing for all six phases to become fully interconnected underground. Work is underway in all phases of the project.

On August 14 (weather permitting), crews anticipate partially reopening sections of 99 Street and 103A Avenue. In late fall, a portion of 99 Street at 102A Avenue will temporarily close for approximately one month for installation of a roadway contraction joint, which will temporarily change access into the City Hall parkade (access will be maintained from 103A Avenue). Pedway construction is anticipated to be complete by the end of 2026.

Central LRT Station beam rehabilitation

Central LRT Station beam rehabilitation was completed in February 2026. The escalator and entrance were opened to the public, restoring access points to the station.

Chinatown Gate

The new Chinatown Gate will be built on 97 Street between Jasper Avenue and Okîsikow (Angel) Way (101A Avenue), where foundations and landscaping have already been installed. Construction of the new gate started in March. A temporary full closure of a portion of 97 Street is anticipated to occur in late August to erect the steel structure of the gate. The new gate is anticipated to be complete in 2027.

Central LRT Station escalator upgrades
Final section of tunnel roof and walls completed for 99 Street pedway
Stairs leading to 99 Street pedway via the ‘pop-up’ on 103A Avenue
Track rehabilitation at 51 Avenue and 111 Street intersection
Rendering of Chinatown Gate (view from Jasper Ave looking north)
Rendering of Chinatown Gate (view from 101A Ave looking south)

Light Rail Vehicle (LRV) Procurement

The LRT expansion projects approved by City Council will require significant growth in the Light Rail Vehicle (LRV) fleet in the coming years. The City is procuring new high-floor LRVs to replace the 37 vehicles that have been in service for more than 45 years, as well as to provide necessary capacity for the Metro Line and Capital Line expansion projects. In 2026, the City awarded a contract to Hyundai Rotem Company to supply 40 high-floor LRVs. Design and manufacturing is anticipated to start in 2026, with new LRVs arriving in 2029/2030.

Expansion Projects

LRV procurement for LRT expansion projects is summarized below:

Valley Line Southeast

This project included 26 new Bombardier Flexity low-floor LRVs, which were supplied through the Valley Line Southeast P3 Project Agreement with TransEd Partners.

Valley Line West

Hyundai Rotem Company is supplying 46 new low-floor LRVs for the project. The first Valley Line West LRV arrived in Edmonton in summer 2025, following months of testing in South Korea. The LRV was successfully powered, and underwent a water tightness and functional test. Additional LRVs have since arrived in Edmonton and delivery will continue into 2027. These LRVs will be compatible with, and will be incorporated into, the entire Valley Line fleet.

Capital Line South (Phase 1) / Metro Line Northwest (Phase 1)

Hyundai Rotem Company will supply 40 new high-floor LRVs for the Metro Line and Capital Line expansion projects, as well as to replace the aging U2 fleet. The new fleet will arrive in 2029/2030.

Light Rail Vehicle (low floor) - rendering #1

Light Rail Vehicle (low floor) - rendering #2