In 2008, City Council approved the Concept Plan for the Capital Line South from Century Park to the south city limit (Allard/Desrochers). The Concept Plan confirmed the LRT corridor (route) and alignment (where the tracks will be within the corridor).
In 2010, the preliminary design for Phase 1 of Capital Line South between Century Park and Ellerslie Road was completed.
In September 2016, the federal government provided Public Transit Infrastructure Funds to support further development of the LRT Network Plan by the City of Edmonton.
In 2017, additional preliminary engineering from Century Park to Ellerslie Road was started to review and refresh the preliminary design, bring the project up to current standards and reflect the principles of Urban LRT.
Public Engagement
Public engagement has been an essential part of the development of the Capital Line South extension. The City undertook public engagement programs for the Capital Line South Concept Plan (2008) and preliminary design (2010). Further public engagement was completed between 2017-2018. Feedback from this engagement helped shape the recommendations in the Capital Line proposed Concept Plans and Crossing Assessments report and the preliminary design update. The City held final public information sessions September 2018 and January of 2020 to learn more about the public preferences about the plan for the Heritage Valley Trail and Ellerslie Road intersection.
The public information and engagement sessions were supported by early online engagement through the City’s website, direct outreach to key partners, a number of pop-up events at locations along the corridor and a final online public survey. The public provided input to the project team on the presented options shown for the project, and discussed issues and impacts. Public feedback also helped shape the look and feel of certain design elements. You can find more information about the public engagement sessions in the sections below.
Indigenous Engagement
Throughout 2017 and 2018 the City undertook an LRT Indigenous engagement program. The purpose of the program was for meaningful engagement between the City and Indigenous communities, with the intent of sharing information, gathering feedback, knowledge and perspectives. In the summer of 2018, the Capital Line South project completed four site tours with the 21 Indigenous communities that expressed interest in attending. The input received from the communities was organized in a general summary report and shared back with the communities. This Indigenous engagement process is continuing as the City of Edmonton strives to build and strengthen ongoing relationships with Alberta’s Indigenous communities.
Key Updates - 2025
The City of Edmonton has shortlisted 3 bidders to participate in the Request for Proposals for the design and manufacturing of up to 53 new high-floor light-rail vehicles (LRVs). The City of Edmonton’s Evaluation Committee has shortlisted the following teams:
- Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles S.A. (“CAF”)
- Hyundai Rotem Company (“Hyundai Rotem”)
- Siemens Mobility Limited (“Siemens”)
In 2024, a Request for Qualifications was shared and the City received strong interest from industry, with a total of 6 submissions received from international bidding teams. The City anticipates awarding the LRV contract in late 2025, with delivery of vehicles anticipated in 2029 and 2030.
Ledcor has implemented a major lane shift at the 23 Avenue and 111 Street intersection. This change is necessary for the construction of the LRT underpass. The change is anticipated to be in place until fall 2026. Please refer to the construction notice for further information.
Ledcor has removed trees as well as the berm on the west side of 111 Street, between Century Park station and Saddleback Road/19 Avenue. This work is necessary to prepare the area for the LRT track and the entrance of the LRT underpass at the 23 Avenue and 111 Street intersection. Any trees that need to be removed to build the LRT will be replaced as part of the full landscaping plan by the Design-Build contractor after construction is completed. For the Capital Line South project overall, more trees will be planted than removed.
Ledcor has completed piling for the south portion of the LRT underpass (south of 23 Avenue). Approximately 930 piles were installed. These piles will eventually support the LRT underpass that will run underneath the intersection. In 2026, additional piling will occur for the north portion of the LRT underpass (north of 23 Avenue).
Determining How the LRT Will Fit
Present - 2022
From 2022 to 2024, early works construction was completed along 111 Street to pave the way for major construction of the Phase 1 Capital Line South LRT extension. EllisDon, the City's contractor for these early works, focused on several key areas:
- Drainage and Tunneling: At the 23 Avenue and 111 Street intersection, EllisDon conducted shallow drainage and tunneling work to prepare for the future LRT underpass. A new lift station was also added on the northeast corner to enhance drainage. To enable this work, crews excavated and installed reception shafts at the 23 Avenue and 109 Street intersection, providing access for necessary machinery.
- Visual Screening: In June, EllisDon began installing an 8-foot, double-boarded, pressure-treated visual screen fence for select properties adjacent to the LRT alignment. This involved pruning and removing trees on both public and private land to allow access for materials and equipment.
- Operations and Maintenance Facility: Geotechnical drilling, hydrovac investigations, and tree removals were carried out at the future site of the Llew Lawrence Operation and Maintenance Facility, located south of Anthony Henday Drive between 127 and 135 Street.
EPCOR, ATCO, Bell, Telus, and Shaw relocated utilities along 111 Street using hydrovacing and excavation techniques. This work cleared the path for major LRT construction, which began in spring 2025.
Ledcor, the Design-Builder for Phase 1 of the Capital Line South LRT extension, has already initiated some preliminary activities. These include berm removal along 111 Street, additional tree removals, implementation of a major lane shift at the 23 Avenue and 111 Street intersection, and piling work to support the future LRT underpass.
Capital Line Design-Build Ltd., a member of the Ledcor Group of Companies, with AECOM as their design partner, has been awarded the contract for Phase 1 of the Capital Line South Extension project from Century Park to north of Ellerslie Road.
Capital Line Design-Build Ltd. will begin major construction in 2025. Construction is anticipated to take 4–5 years to complete, followed by testing and commissioning.
On June 12, City Council approved additional funding of $242 million for Phase 1 of the project. Additional funding was necessary due to increased construction costs, ongoing inflationary challenges and market volatility. With this additional funding in place, the total budget for the project is now $1.34 billion, which includes funding from the Government of Canada, the Government of Alberta and the City of Edmonton. Over the coming months, the City will continue to advocate to funding partners for additional funding contributions to help ease future tax implications for Edmontonians.
In June 2022, a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) was issued to identify and shortlist qualified bidders to design and build this LRT extension. Two bidders were shortlisted. The Request for Proposals (RFP) was issued to the two shortlisted bidders on March 31, 2023. In June 2024, Capital Line Design-Build Ltd. a member of the Ledcor Group of Companies, with AECOM as their design partner, was awarded the contract for Phase 1 of the Capital Line South Extension.
On May 16, the LRT project team discussed recommended project scope changes with City Council that are needed to remain within the approved project funding. Changes to the project scope were the result of significant economic pressures and market uncertainty that arose since the original project cost estimate was prepared in 2020. The following scope reductions/deferrals were recommended and approved by Council:
- Heritage Valley North Station (changed from elevated station to at-grade station)
- Heritage Valley Park & Ride (deferred the expansion (from 1100 stalls to 1900 stalls) to a future project)
- LRV order (reduced to minimum service requirement and spares)
- Operations & Maintenance Facility (reduced storage capacity for LRVs, and repurposed ROW equipment storage area for interim light maintenance)
On May 16, three motions were made at Council. Below is a high-level summary of Council’s decisions:
- Twin Brooks station will get built.
- Visual screen wall will not be made of concrete or brick (the decision has been made to build an 8-foot tall wooden visual screen fence).
- Project team will prepare a cost analysis for future construction of a grade-separated Ellerslie Road between 127 Street and 135 Street.
- This cost analysis is just for information, not for making a final decision about grade separation as Phase 1 of the project does not cross Ellerslie Road. A decision about grade separation at Ellerslie Road will be made at a future date that has yet to be determined.
Between December 14, 2022, and January 22, 2023, the City of Edmonton gathered public feedback and provided information through a survey about the approved Twin Brooks Station that is part of Phase 1 of the Capital Line South LRT Extension project. The survey closed with a total of 1,788 respondents and over 2,600 comments received through open-text questions. The City compiled the feedback from the survey and recorded it in a .
A noise study along 111 Street, between Century Park and Anthony Henday Drive, was undertaken in 2018 to determine if noise mitigation would be required to meet the City of Edmonton Urban Traffic Noise Policy (UTNP) C506A. The study indicated that future average noise levels, including traffic and LRT, would not exceed 65 dBA, the level that triggers the requirement for noise mitigation; which is often in the form of noise barriers. Refer to the for additional information.
As funding for the Capital Line South Extension has been approved, and to meet public needs, a second noise study was conducted in October 2022 to establish the current noise levels at ten residential locations along 111 Street, between Century Park and Anthony Henday Drive.
The 2022 noise monitoring data, the most recent project drawings, which included LRT and road alignments, along with the projected traffic data for 2050 was used in a computer noise model. The noise modelling results indicated noise levels ranging from 52.7 – 62.0 dBA Leq24. Since all future noise levels are below 65 dBA, noise mitigation, such as noise barriers, will not be required to meet the City of Edmonton Urban Traffic Noise Policy (UTNP), C506A.
If you are interested in reading the complete 2022 noise study, please contact the LRT projects team at LRTprojects@edmonton.ca or 780-496-4874.
2021 - 2013
City Council approved the municipal funding contribution of $333 million for the Capital Line South LRT extension from Century Park to Ellerslie Road.
The Government of Alberta has approved the business case and committed $300 million for the Capital Line extension south of Century Park. This funding is part of the $2.94 billion previously committed by both the federal and provincial governments for LRT network extension in Edmonton.
City Council voted in favour of a motion that makes the Capital Line South LRT extension from Century Park to Ellerslie Road the City’s next priority for LRT expansion.
The Governments of Canada and Alberta have committed $2.94 billion for LRT network expansion in Edmonton. A total of $2.25 billion has been approved for the Valley Line West and Metro Line extension projects, which leaves $690 million in available LRT infrastructure funding.
With Council’s endorsement of the extension, the City can move forward with discussions with our funding partners about the project.
Those who attended the meetings learned about the City’s grade separation (tracks above, below or at street-level) recommendations and initial results of the summer online survey. There was also the opportunity to share feedback on landscaping and the ‘look and feel’ around the recommended Twin Brooks Station and Operations Maintenance Facility.
Administration's final recommendations will be taken to city council for approval at a non-statutory public hearing. City council postponed the non-statutory public hearing to January 22, 2019.
Meeting Materials:
Comment Form - Submission deadline October 5, 2018
Residents were invited to the Heritage Valley Park & Ride, Capital Line South LRT Extension and 135 Street/Anthony Henday Drive Connection Public Information Session to receive information and updates on the three projects.
The Capital Line South LRT Extension will run from the current Century Park Station to Ellerslie Road. It will connect to the Heritage Valley Park & Ride located at the northwest corner of Ellerslie Road and 127 Street. 135 Street connection to Anthony Henday Drive will replace the existing access at 127 Street. It will also provide transit access from Anthony Henday Drive to Heritage Valley Park & Ride.
135 Street / Anthony Henday Drive Connection Display Boards (6 MB)
Capital Line South LRT Extension Alignment (3 MB)
Capital Line South LRT Extension Display Boards (1 MB)
Future Operations and Maintenance Facility (OMF) Layout (2 MB)
During the summer and early fall 2017, a number of pop-ups were held along the future extension alignment to allow residents an opportunity to provide their input on the project.
The Capital Line South Extension Survey closed on September 30, 2017.
The survey results helped determine if the direction of the 2010 preliminary design still meets the community's needs.
Additional preliminary engineering from Century Park to Ellerslie Road was started to review and refresh of the preliminary design, bring the project up to current standards and reflect the principles of Urban LRT.
Reviewing
The current LRT work will look at:
- The possibility to add a station adjacent to Twin Brooks to reflect Urban LRT principles
- How the stations are integrated into the adjacent communities, with regards to aesthetics and materials
- Assessing 9 and 12 Avenues, Saddleback Road and Ellerslie Road, for potential raised or lowered crossings from street level using a Council approved assessment framework
With funding from the Federal Government, the City started supplemental work on the Capital Line South Extension.
Updating of the preliminary design was initiated in June 2017 and is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2018. No timeline or funding for construction has been confirmed at this time.
Following extensive public input, the names of the current and future LRT lines were decided.
Capital Line was selected as the name for the LRT route running from northeast Edmonton to the south city limit. The South LRT Extension is now called Capital Line South Extension.
2012 - 2008
Preliminary engineering for an LRT extension from Century Park to Ellerslie Road station is complete. This included an evaluation of geotechnical, noise, vibration, drainage, system controls, environmental, architectural and landscaping elements.
Concepts plans for the 3 km extension from Ellerslie Road to 41 Avenue SW have been brought up-to-date with the Neighbourhood Area Structure Plans (NASP) for Heritage Valley Town Centre and Desrochers. These plans were approved by City Council in October 2009 and October 2010.
Preliminary Engineering for the first 4.5 km from Century Park to Ellerslie Road was completed in 2010.
Century Park to Ellerslie Road Map
The City presented the recommended preliminary design plans for the future South LRT extension. Feedback from previous open house, resident and business meetings and Stakeholder Information Panel meetings in Fall 2009 were considered in the development of the preliminary design plans.
The City met with the Stakeholder Information Panel to gather feedback regarding specific landscaping and aesthetic themes and share updates on the status of the project.
The City held an open house to share information and gather input on the project.
The City met with the Stakeholder Information Panel to gather input on impacts of the project.
In July 2008, Edmonton City Council approved the Concept Plan for the South LRT Extension from Century Park to the South City Limit. Preliminary Engineering to Ellerslie Road was initiated in April 2009 after funding was approved by Council, and is scheduled for completion in January 2010.
Deciding Where The Route Will Run
December 2008, City Council approved a new criteria for LRT Route Planning and Evaluation. This criteria reflected a shift in the City’s strategic planning direction, as reflected in The Way We Move and The Way We Grow. For LRT and Transit investments, the original goal was to minimize travel times and increase ridership, but the new focus was finding a balance of travel time and shaping land use.
Planning Studies and Policy Change
At this time, planning studies were underway for a West LRT line. However, the change in policy direction led to a decision to re-evaluate potential west routes.
In 2009, the City also completed a long-term study to define the future size, scale and operation of Edmonton’s LRT system. The Network Plan calls for the potential development of five LRT lines across the city. For lines that don’t physically connect into the existing system, such as the Valley Line, the network plan called for the development of an urban-style LRT. This means the system should have smaller, more frequent stops that are better connected to the surrounding community.
How it Started
- In 1999 Council approved a Transportation Master Plan, The Way We Move, that recommended a city-wide high-speed transit system
- In 2004 a study was conducted and recommended high-speed transit was suitable between downtown and NAIT
December 2008, City Council approved a new criteria for LRT Route Planning and Evaluation. This criteria reflected a shift in the City’s strategic planning direction, as reflected in The Way We Move and The Way We Grow. For LRT and Transit investments, the original goal was to minimize travel times and increase ridership, but the new focus was finding a balance of travel time and shaping land use.
Planning Studies and Policy Change
At this time, planning studies were underway for a West LRT line. However, the change in policy direction led to a decision to re-evaluate potential west routes.
In 2009, the City also completed a long-term study to define the future size, scale and operation of Edmonton’s LRT system. The Network Plan calls for the potential development of five LRT lines across the city. For lines that don’t physically connect into the existing system, such as the Valley Line, the network plan called for the development of an urban-style LRT. This means the system should have smaller, more frequent stops that are better connected to the surrounding community.
Community Advisory Committee (CAC) Meeting Agendas and Minutes
| Date | Meeting number by Year | Agendas | Minutes |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 1, 2026 | Meeting 8 | Agenda | Minutes |
| September 18, 2025 | Meeting 7 | Agenda | Minutes |
| April 23, 2025 | Meeting 6 | Agenda | Minutes |
| October 16, 2024 | Meeting 5 | Agenda | Minutes |
| June 20, 2024 | Meeting 4 | Agenda | Minutes |
| November 29, 2023 | Meeting 3 | Agenda | Minutes |
| June 12, 2023 | Meeting 2 | Agenda | Minutes |
| January 11, 2023 | Meeting 1 | Agenda | Minutes |
| January 10, 2019 | Meeting 6 | Agenda | Minutes |
| August 29, 2018 | Meeting 5 | Agenda | Minutes |
| April 25, 2018 | Meeting 4 | Agenda | Minutes |
| March 28, 2018 | Meeting 3 | Agenda | Minutes |
| January 31, 2018 | Meeting 2 | Agenda | Minutes |
| November 8, 2017 | Meeting 1 | Agenda | Minutes |
Names of CAC members have been removed from the meeting minutes in compliance with Access to Information and Protection of Privacy legislation. Attachments referred to in meeting notes are not included. Some attachments are available online, while others were only for CAC members' information.
Contact Us
LRT Projects Information Centre
General project inquiries
Email lrtprojects@edmonton.ca
Phone 780-496-4874 (voicemail) or 311