Edmonton’s South LRT Extension under way

A string of consulting engineering firms is working on the extension to Edmonton’s Light Rail Transit System. A temporary halt to site preparation work was called in early January after a casket and human remains were discovered near 43 Avenue and 111 Street. The city has since resumed construction but asked an archaeological consultant (Golder) to supervise the proceedings in case any more remains are found in the area.
The South LRT Extension is Edmonton’s largest infrastructure project, with a budget of $673 million. It will continue the tracks from the Health Sciences Station completed in 2006 to Century Park (Heritage Mall).
The 7.5-kilometre line will include four new stations. The McKernan/Belgravia and South Campus stations are scheduled to open in April 2009, and Southgate and Century Park will be opened in early 2010. Ridership on the line is expected to double once the extension is complete.
The new LRT track runs along the west side of 114 Street, curving east on 61 Avenue and then south along 111 Street. Construction includes pedestrian underpasses and two bridges, including one over Whitemud Drive. A recreation trail is being created along the track.
Stantec Consulting (Rob Fewings) is doing project management, as well as Southgate Station and various other components. Other consultants involved include UMA Engineering, CH2M Hill, Earth Tech, ISL, Associated Engineering, AD Williams, AMEC Earth & Environmental, Thurber Engineering, Morrison Hershfield, Golder Associates, O’Neil O’Neil, HDR, HFP, ACI, Maltais Geomatics, Korve Engineering and Vinspec.
The project is being funded partly with $54 million from the federal gas tax, and $25 million from the Alberta Municipal Infrastructure fund.