Blatchford Gate station
{{Short description|Future Edmonton light rail station}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2023}}
{{Infobox station
| name = Blatchford Gate
| style = Edmonton LRT
| type = Edmonton LRT station
| image = Blatchford Gate Station.jpg
| coordinates = {{Coord|53.5769|-113.5104|type:railwaystation_region:CA-AB|display=inline,title}}
| owned = City of Edmonton
| operator = Edmonton LRT
| transit_authority = Edmonton Transit Service
| lines =
| platforms = Side-loading platforms
| tracks = 2
| structure = At-grade
| accessible = Yes
| opening = TBA
| other_services = {{Adjacent stations|system=Edmonton LRT|line=Metro|right=NAIT/Blatchford Market}}
| other_services_header = Future services
| route_map = {{Metro Line|inline=1}}
| mapframe =
}}
Blatchford Gate station is a non-operational Edmonton LRT station in Edmonton, Alberta. It will serve the Metro Line and will be the northern terminus station until the line is further extended. The station is located in the northeastern section of the developing Blatchford community, and west of the Westwood neighbourhood.{{Cite web |title=Metro Line - Northwest Extension {{!}} City of Edmonton |url=https://www.edmonton.ca/projects_plans/transit/nw-lrt |access-date=May 11, 2023 |website=www.edmonton.ca |language=en}} The station was completed in December 2023{{Cite web |last=Mohamud |first=Amal |date=December 13, 2023 |title=Metro Line LRT to be closed this weekend for testing before NAIT/Blatchford station opens |url=https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/metro-line-lrt-to-be-closed-this-weekend-for-testing-before-nait-blatchford-station-opens-1.6686299 |access-date=December 19, 2023 |website=CTV News Edmonton}} as part of {{cvt|1.6|km}} Metro Line Northwest Phase 1 extension.{{Cite web |title=Edmonton's Blatchford LRT stations set to open in 2024, shortlisted Capital Line South builders to make final pitch |url=https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/edmontons-blatchford-lrt-stations-set-to-open-in-2024-shortlisted-capital-line-south-builders-to-make-final-pitch |access-date=May 27, 2023 |website=Edmonton Journal |language=en-CA}}{{Cite web |last=Burroughs |first=David |date=June 9, 2020 |title=Work begins on Edmonton light rail line extension |url=https://www.railjournal.com/passenger/light-rail/work-begins-on-edmonton-light-rail-line-extension/ |access-date=November 4, 2023 |website=International Railway Journal}} The station however, will not open for passenger service until a later unknown date due to a lack of demand.
History
The concept plan for the Metro Line extension was approved in 2013. Phase 1 of the extension from NAIT station to Blatchford Gate Station entered procurement in 2019.[https://www.edmonton.ca/sites/default/files/public-files/METRO-LINE-NW-LRT-Booklet.pdf Metro Line NW LRT Booklet] (PDF). City of Edmonton. Retrieved May 18, 2023. Construction began in the summer of 2020 and was completed in early December 2023, more than a year ahead of its 2025 completion date.{{cite news |author=Siemens, Nicole |title=New NAIT LRT station ahead of schedule, opening of other Blatchford stop remains unclear |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/10229520/nait-blatchford-metro-line-expansion/ |date=January 16, 2024 |website=Global News Edmonton |access-date=February 9, 2024}} Once open, it will replace NAIT/Blatchford Market station as the northern terminus of the line.
Although the station was planned to open alongside NAIT/Blatchford Market station when completed, its opening date was deferred due to lack of demand and until the criteria for the city’s transit service standard has been met.{{Cite web |last=Snowdon |first=Wallis |date=December 1, 2023 |title=Turbulence continues for Edmonton's Blatchford development on former airport site |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/edmonton-blatchford-development-construction-1.7045344 |access-date=December 10, 2023 |website=CBC News}}{{Cite web |last=Ryan |first=Sarah |date=April 7, 2023 |title=Construction well underway on Edmonton's northwest LRT expansion |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/9608715/edmonton-northwest-lrt-expansion-blatchford/ |access-date=May 27, 2023 |website=Global News |language=en-US}} The area around the station is currently planned to contain various residential and mixed-use developments in the future.{{Cite web |title=Community |url=https://blatchfordedmonton.ca/community/ |access-date=2023-12-11 |website=Blatchford |language=en-US}} However, there is a lack of development around the station, as current development in Blatchford is currently located at the opposite end of the neighbourhood. Developments near Blatchford Gate station are planned to be completed before the end of the decade.{{Cite web |last1=Thompson |first1=Jeremy |last2=Ellingson |first2=Craig |date=September 20, 2023 |title=City council mulls keeping Blatchford LRT station closed until neighbourhood fills out |url=https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/city-council-mulls-keeping-blatchford-lrt-station-closed-until-neighbourhood-fills-out-1.6570888 |access-date=December 10, 2023 |website=CTV News Edmonton}}
Future Metro Line extensions are planned to continue north of the station into Northwest Edmonton.
Station layout
Blatchford Gate station will be an at-grade station with 2 side platforms. The station will be able to accommodate five-car trains.[https://www.edmonton.ca/sites/default/files/public-files/documents/MetroNW_Industry_Bulletin_April2019.pdf Metro Line Northwest Phase 1 - Industry Tender Bulletin] (PDF). City of Edmonton. April 2019. Retrieved May 8, 2023. The station platforms each have canopies and heated shelters. The entire extension through Blatchford will be on a transit mall with shared use paths and bike lanes running adjacent to the train tracks. Unlike the Capital Line, intersections around the station are not planned to use crossing arms, flashing lights or bells, similar to the Valley Line.
Power for the station will primarily be provided by solar panels installed in the stations canopy. When operational these solar panels will provide renewable energy to the heated shelters, mechanical components and lighting at each of the stations.{{Cite web |title=2023 Mid-Season LRT Construction Update {{!}} City of Edmonton |url=https://www.edmonton.ca/projects_plans/transit/lrt-construction-update |access-date=November 4, 2023 |website=www.edmonton.ca |language=en}}