Valley Line (Edmonton)#Valley Line Southeast (Downtown to Mill Woods)

File:Valley Line Train Interior.jpg

Planning studies for an LRT route from downtown to Mill Woods began in early 2009.{{cite web |url=http://www.edmonton.ca/ets/transit_projects/southeast-lrt-history.aspx |title=Southeast LRT Project History |publisher=City of Edmonton |access-date=May 26, 2012}} In December 2009, Edmonton City Council approved a new low-floor train route that would leave a new ground-level station at Churchill Square on 102 Avenue between 100 and 99 Streets before stopping in The Quarters redevelopment on 102 Avenue between 97 Street and 96 Street. From here the route enters a tunnel and travels beneath 95 Street descending into the river valley to cross the North Saskatchewan River on the new Tawatinâ Bridge,{{cite web|title=Southeast LRT (Valley Line) Names Approved|url=http://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/urban_planning_and_design/naming-committee-process.aspx|publisher=City of Edmonton Naming Committee|access-date=November 14, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131114021032/http://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/urban_planning_and_design/naming-committee-process.aspx|archive-date=November 14, 2013|url-status=dead}} east of Louise McKinney Park. The route then climbs the hill adjacent to Connors Road then proceeds east along 95 Avenue and southbound at 85 Street. The route travels southbound along 85 Street, crossing the intersection north of Bonnie Doon Mall and shifting to 83 Street, continuing south and east. Just north of Argyll Road, the line is lifted onto an elevated guideway over Davies Industrial. Finally, the line proceeds south along 75/66 Street until it reaches Mill Woods Town Centre. Within this line the proposed stops are: Quarters, Muttart, Strathearn, Holyrood, Bonnie Doon, Avonmore, Davies (to include a bus terminal and park & ride),{{cite web |url=http://www.edmonton.ca/transportation/PDF/Approved-Concept-Plan-Amendment.pdf |title=Southeast to West LRT – Approved Concept Plan Amendment |publisher=City of Edmonton |access-date=November 19, 2012}} Millbourne/Woodvale, Grey Nuns, and Mill Woods Town Centre. The maintenance and storage of vehicles for the line is at the Gerry Wright Operations and Maintenance Facility (opened in 2018), at Whitemud Drive and 75 Street.{{cite web|title=Operations and Maintenance Facility|url=http://www.edmonton.ca/transportation/RoadsTraffic/Operations_Maintenance_Facility.pdf|publisher=City of Edmonton|access-date=August 28, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140326002038/http://www.edmonton.ca/transportation/RoadsTraffic/Operations_Maintenance_Facility.pdf|archive-date=March 26, 2014|url-status=dead}}

On June 1, 2011, City Council approved $39 million in funding to proceed with preliminary engineering for the Valley Line. In November 2011 City Council voted to allocate $800 million to the project, with the hopes of starting construction by 2014 and an expected completion date of 2018.{{cite web|title=City fast-tracks LRT expansion with push for $800 million |url=http://www.canada.com/story.html?id=4d98170c-d6c4-463f-9937-4b74c360fc3f |work=Edmonton Journal |publisher=Postmedia Network |access-date=November 19, 2012}} A funding plan was approved in October 2012 in which the city would contribute $800 million into the project with the remaining $1 billion coming from the provincial and federal governments.{{cite web|title= Council approves P3 funding plan for southeast LRT line |url=https://edmontonjournal.com/news/Council+approves+funding+plan+southeast+line/7404936/story.html |last=Kent |first=Gordon |work=Edmonton Journal |date=October 17, 2012 |publisher=Postmedia Network |access-date=November 19, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130203035825/http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/edmonton/City+releases+names+lines/7900154/story.html |archive-date=February 3, 2013 }}

On February 15, 2012, city council approved the Downtown LRT concept plan. The Downtown LRT Project became part of the Southeast to West LRT project.{{cite web |url=http://www.edmonton.ca/ets/transit_projects/southeast-to-west-lrt-mill-woods-to-lewis-farms.aspx |title=Southeast to West LRT: Mill Woods to Lewis Farms |publisher=City of Edmonton |access-date=May 27, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160209095715/http://www.edmonton.ca/ets/transit_projects/southeast-to-west-lrt-mill-woods-to-lewis-farms.aspx |archive-date=February 9, 2016 |url-status=dead }} The city hoped to have money in place by the end of 2013 for the $1.8-billion LRT line from downtown to Mill Woods to start construction in 2016. City council committed $800 million, the federal government invested $250 million, and $235 million would come from the provincial government, leaving a $515 million funding gap delaying the project.{{cite news|last=Dykstra|first=Matt|title=Federal government projects a $3.7 billion budget surplus which could help Edmonton LRT line|url=http://www.edmontonsun.com/2013/11/12/federal-government-projects-a-37-billion-budget-surplus-which-could-help-edmonton-lrt-line|newspaper=Edmonton Sun|access-date=November 14, 2013|date=November 13, 2013}} On March 11, 2014, it was announced that the project would be completely funded{{cite web|last=Tumilty|first=Ryan|title=Southeast LRT funding includes $200 million interest-free provincial loan|url=http://metronews.ca/news/edmonton/968297/new-funding-for-southeast-lrt-line-announced-by-province/|publisher=Metro News|access-date=March 12, 2014|date=March 11, 2014}}{{cite news|last=Kent|first=Gordon|title=Southeast LRT on track after province promises to fill $600 million funding gap (with video)|url=https://edmontonjournal.com/Southeast+track+after+province+promises+fill+million+funding+with+video/9604838/story.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140418041619/http://www.edmontonjournal.com/Southeast+track+after+province+promises+fill+million+funding+with+video/9604838/story.html|archive-date=April 18, 2014|newspaper=Edmonton Journal|access-date=March 12, 2014|date=March 11, 2014}} with an additional $150 million from the federal government and $365 million from the provincial government.{{cite news|last=Simons|first=Paula|title=Cash for Valley Line is fine, but transit funding must be consistent|url=https://edmontonjournal.com/Simons+Cash+Valley+Line+fine+transit+funding+must+consistent/9879523/story.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140620144833/http://www.edmontonjournal.com/Simons+Cash+Valley+Line+fine+transit+funding+must+consistent/9879523/story.html|archive-date=June 20, 2014|newspaper=Edmonton Journal|access-date=May 27, 2014|date=May 26, 2014}}{{cite news|last=Dykstra|first=Matthew|title=Edmonton gets a final piece of funding for southeast portio of Valley LRT line|url=http://www.edmontonsun.com/2014/05/26/edmonton-gets-final-piece-of-funding-for-valley-lrt-line-18-bilion-from-feds|newspaper=Edmonton Sun|access-date=May 27, 2014|date=May 26, 2014}}

Land procurement began in 2011{{Cite web|url=http://sirepub.edmonton.ca/sirepub/mtgviewer.aspx?meetid=648&doctype=AGENDA|title=SIRE Public Access|website=sirepub.edmonton.ca|access-date=June 2, 2016}} and utility relocation began in 2013,{{Cite web|url=http://www.edmonton.ca/ets/transit_projects/concept-planning-project-history.aspx|title=Project History :: City of Edmonton|last=Edmonton|first=City of|date=June 2, 2016|website=www.edmonton.ca|access-date=June 2, 2016}}{{cite web|title=Fact Sheet; Valley Line (SE to WEST LRT); May 2014|url=http://www.edmonton.ca/transportation/PDF/RFQ-RFP_Factsheet_30-May-2014.pdf|publisher=City of Edmonton|access-date=August 28, 2014|date=May 30, 2014}}{{cite web|title=Connors Road Construction|url=http://www.epcor.com/outreach/Pages/connors-road-edmonton.aspx|publisher=EPCOR|access-date=July 24, 2014}}{{cite web|title=2014 Construction on your streets|url=http://www.edmonton.ca/transportation/on_your_streets/construction-on-your-streets.aspx|publisher=City of Edmonton|access-date=July 25, 2014}} completion of the first stage was expected in 2020.{{cite web|title=City of Edmonton Valley Line Stage 1 – Light Rail Transit (LRT) Project Environmental Impact Screening Assessment Update|url=http://www.edmonton.ca/transportation/RoadsTraffic/Valley_Line_RFP_Q_and_A_January_7_2015_(1).pdf|website=Edmonton|publisher=City of Edmonton|access-date=May 1, 2016}}{{cite web|title=Valley Line (SE to West LRT)|url=http://www.edmonton.ca/transportation/PDF/Valley_Line_Frequently_Asked_Questions_Sept_2013.pdf|publisher=City of Edmonton|access-date=August 28, 2014|date=September 2013}} The official groundbreaking of the Valley Line was on April 22, 2016.{{cite news|last1=Bartko|first1=Karen|title=Valley Line LRT construction to start April 22, says new website|url=http://globalnews.ca/news/2633479/valley-line-lrt-construction-to-start-april-22-says-new-website/|access-date=May 1, 2016|agency=Global News Edmonton|publisher=Corus Entertainment Inc.|date=April 12, 2016}}{{cite web|title=Valley Line (SE to West LRT): Mill Woods to Lewis Farms|url=http://www.edmonton.ca/ets/transit_projects/southeast-to-west-lrt-mill-woods-to-lewis-farms.aspx|website=Edmonton|publisher=City of Edmonton|access-date=May 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160209095715/http://www.edmonton.ca/ets/transit_projects/southeast-to-west-lrt-mill-woods-to-lewis-farms.aspx|archive-date=February 9, 2016|url-status=dead}}

File:Valley LRT line Edmonton (50849687101).jpg under construction (January 2021)]]

In September 2019, it was revealed that the segment of the line was a year behind schedule of its projected December 2020 opening date. The 2019 construction season posed a challenge to crews due to frequent rain.{{Cite web|url=https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/get-it-finished-valley-line-lrt-project-facing-delays-1.4581917|title='Get it finished': Valley Line LRT project facing delays|last=Dyer|first=Kelsey|date=September 6, 2019|website=Edmonton|language=en|access-date=September 8, 2019}}

In December 2019, completion of the line was pushed back until 2021 after TransEd found a car-sized piece of concrete underneath the north berm of the Tawatinâ Bridge.{{Cite web|url=https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/lrt-delay|title=Concrete mass in river delaying Valley Line southeast LRT {{!}} Edmonton Journal |first1=Jeff |last1=Labine |date=December 11, 2019|language=en|access-date=December 13, 2019}} The line's completion was subsequently delayed to late 2021,{{cite web |last1=Rosove |first1=Jay |title=Edmonton's newest LRT Line expected to be running by late 2021 |url=https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/edmonton-s-newest-lrt-line-expected-to-be-running-by-late-2021-1.5470286 |website=CTV News Edmonton |access-date=September 17, 2021 |date=June 14, 2021}} then to first quarter of 2022, and again to July 2022.{{cite web | url=https://globalnews.ca/news/8259580/edmonton-valley-line-southeast-lrt-train-crosses-tawatina-bridge/ | title=Opening of Valley Line Southeast LRT delayed again as first train crosses Tawatinâ Bridge}}{{Cite web|date=December 22, 2021 |title=DBRS Morningstar Comments on TransEd Partners General Partnership's Delay in Service Commencement |url=https://www.dbrsmorningstar.com/research/390215/dbrs-morningstar-comments-on-transed-partners-general-partnerships-delay-in-service-commencement |access-date=December 28, 2021|website=www.dbrsmorningstar.com}}

File:Churchill Connector, Edmonton.jpg, under construction]]

On August 10, 2022, the City of Edmonton and TransEd announced another delay, as inspections in mid-July found cracks in three supporting piers on elevated portions of the line.{{cite web |last1=Riebe |first1=Natasha |title=Edmonton's Valley Line Southeast LRT delayed again after inspectors discover cracks in piers |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/edmonton-valley-line-southeast-lrt-delayed-1.6547073 |publisher=CBC News |access-date=August 12, 2022 |date=August 10, 2022}} Further inspections revealed that 30 of the 45 piers were cracked. An initial assessment named lateral thermal expansion as a potential factor in creating the cracks. Later analysis determined that the rebar was inadequate, and ideas were being tested as to how to best repair the piers.{{cite web |last1=Gibson |first1=Caley |title=More cracks discovered in concrete piers along Valley Line LRT southeast extension – Edmonton |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/9102673/edmonton-valley-line-lrt-more-pier-cracks/ |website=Global News |access-date=September 3, 2022 |date=September 2, 2022}}{{cite web |last1=Wakefield |first1=Jonny |title='Profoundly disappointed': Two-thirds of concrete pillars on new Edmonton LRT line now need repairs |url=https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/profoundly-disappointed-two-thirds-of-concrete-pillars-on-new-edmonton-lrt-line-now-need-repairs |website=Edmonton Journal |access-date=November 20, 2022 |language=en-CA |date=November 19, 2022}} Before the damaged piers were discovered, trains were being tested on tracks between the Gerry Wright OMF and the Mill Woods stop.{{Cite web|title=Light Rail Vehicle (LRV) Train System Testing on 66 Street – TransEd Valley Line LRT|url=http://transedlrt.ca/updates/light-rail-vehicle-lrv-train-system-testing-on-66-street/|access-date=February 23, 2021}} During pier remediation, testing took place only on portions of the line that were not elevated.{{cite web |last1=Smith |first1=Madeline |title=Long-delayed $1.8-billion Valley Line LRT stymied yet again |url=https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/long-delayed-1-8-billion-valley-line-lrt-stymied-yet-again |website=Edmonton Journal |access-date=August 12, 2022 |language=en-CA |date=August 10, 2022}} On January 3, 2023, the structural repairs of the cracked pillars were complete, and testing expanded to all sections of the line, including the elevated portions.{{Cite tweet |author=Valley Line Southeast LRT |user=yegvalleyLRT |number=1610332749633843200 |title=Now that the structural repairs are completed, trains are moving along the elevated sections of the track.|date=January 3, 2023}}

On June 26, 2023, TransEd announced they were replacing {{convert|140|km|mi}} of signalling cables in ducts, as some were oxidized. The work started immediately, and was expected to be done from downtown to Whitemud Drive by the end of August. The remaining section south to Mill Woods was slated to be done after the line opened, with the work undertaken at night when no trains are running. On October 24, the City of Edmonton announced that the line would open on November 4 after testing resumed and independent certifiers submitted final approval.{{Cite web |last=Antoneshyn |first=Alex |date=2023-10-24 |title=Valley Line Southeast LRT to open to public in November |url=https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/valley-line-southeast-lrt-to-open-to-public-in-november-1.6614778 |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=CTV News Edmonton |language=en}} The inaugural train had later departed from Mill Woods stop at 5:15 am that morning.{{cite news |last1=Hunt |first1=Stephen |title='The most Edmonton experience I've ever had': Hundreds of transit lovers show up to ride first Valley Line train |url=https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/the-most-edmonton-experience-i-ve-ever-had-hundreds-of-transit-lovers-show-up-to-ride-first-valley-line-train-1.6631286 |access-date=November 4, 2023 |work=CTV News Edmonton |publisher=Bell Media |date=November 4, 2023}}

An expansion to Lewis Farms, with the West Edmonton Mall en route, is under construction as part of the {{Convert|27|km|adj=on}} Valley Line.

The option approved by Council in 2010 has the west LRT extension run from downtown along 104 Avenue and Stony Plain Road to 156 Street, then south on 156 Street to Meadowlark Health & Shopping Centre, and then west along 87 Avenue to West Edmonton Mall and beyond. Proponents of this route cited opportunities for transit-oriented development.{{cite web |url=https://edmontonjournal.com/news/Edmonton+unveils+west+south+plans/1959656/story.html |title=Edmonton unveils west and south LRT plans |author=Kent, Gordon |date=September 3, 2009 |access-date=December 2, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091107125654/http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/Edmonton+unveils+west+south+plans/1959656/story.html |archive-date=November 7, 2009 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/news/city-proposes-southeast-and-we.aspx |title=City Proposes Southeast and West LRT Routes |date=September 3, 2009 |access-date=December 2, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616140331/http://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/news/city-proposes-southeast-and-we.aspx |archive-date=June 16, 2011 }}

In 2016, the Valley Line West received funding through the Government of Canada’s Public Transit Infrastructure Fund (PTIF) to review the preliminary design that was completed in 2013. The funding covers work to determine the most appropriate project delivery method (P3, for example) and to develop a business case for construction funding.

Preparation work, such as the relocation of underground utilities and clearing of land along the route, began in 2019.{{cite web|title=Keeping track: Progress on Valley Line West LRT|url=https://transforming.edmonton.ca/keeping-track-progress-on-valley-line-west-lrt/|date=January 9, 2020|website=Transforming Edmonton|publisher=City of Edmonton|access-date=March 15, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220511164348/https://transforming.edmonton.ca/keeping-track-progress-on-valley-line-west-lrt/|archive-date=May 11, 2022|url-status=live}}

The Government of Canada provided approximately $948 million for the Valley Line West expansion, and the Government of Alberta in 2020 committed approximately $1.04 billion for the project.{{Cite web|last=Edmonton|first=City of|date=September 30, 2020|title=Valley Line|url=https://www.edmonton.ca/projects_plans/transit/valley-line-lrt-mill-woods-to-lewis-farms.aspx|access-date=September 30, 2020|website=www.edmonton.ca}} {{As of|2020}} the expansion was projected to cost approximately $2.67 billion in total.{{Cite web|title=Valley Line West LRT expansion lives on after call from councillor to rescind approved funding|url=https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/valley-line-west-lrt-expansion-lives-on-after-call-from-councillor-to-rescind-approved-funding|access-date=September 30, 2020|website=Edmonton Journal|language=en-CA}} In 2020, the City of Edmonton selected Marigold Infrastructure Partners to build the western section of the Valley Line.{{Cite web|title=City of Edmonton selects Marigold Infrastructure Partners for Valley Line West LRT project|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/7432596/edmonton-selects-valley-line-lrt-west-project-proponent/|author=Gibson, Carly|date=October 21, 2020|website=Global News|access-date=October 25, 2023}} Early construction work began in 2021 and the line formally commenced construction on May 27, 2022. It is expected to be completed in 2028.

Valley Line trains run every 5 to 15 minutes, beginning at approximately 5:00 am daily. Service ends at approximately 1:00 am Monday through Saturday, and at approximately 12:30 am on Sundays. Trains run every 5 minutes during weekday peak hours, every 10 minutes during the day on weekdays and Saturdays, and every 15 minutes during evenings and on Sundays.{{cite news |title=Edmonton's Valley Line Southeast LRT set to open Nov. 4 |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/edmonton-s-valley-line-southeast-lrt-to-open-1.7006127 |access-date=25 October 2023 |work=CBC |date=24 October 2023}}

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{{Commons category|Edmonton Valley Line LRT}}

{{Attached KML|display=title,inline}}

• [https://www.edmonton.ca/projects_plans/transit/valley-line-lrt-mill-woods-to-lewis-farms.aspx Valley Line] City of Edmonton
• {{YouTube|QTCDue8Lf0g|Valley Line LRT}} published by the City of Edmonton. An animated tour of the proposed Valley Line
• {{YouTube|RX2XiY3n9vY|Valley Line West LRT}} published by the City of Edmonton. An animated tour of the proposed Valley Line West LRT extension

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Category:Edmonton LRT

Category:Rapid transit lines in Canada

Category:Railway lines opened in 2023

Category:2023 establishments in Alberta