WATCH ABOVE: Five delays and a lot of debate later, the Metro LRT Line still won’t open until later this spring. Vinesh Pratap sits down with Nancy Carlson for a closer look at the project.
EDMONTON — City of Edmonton transit officials say they are cautiously optimistic the Metro LRT Line to NAIT will be ready for passengers this spring, more than one year after it was originally scheduled to open.
Transit officials say the signalling system, which has been the major issue in delaying the project, will be handed over from the contractor to the city on March 23 for about six weeks of ETS evaluation and training prior to the line opening.
“Our signalling contractor, Thales, has made some progress over the last few months, but they still have several project milestones to achieve before they can turn the system over to the City for evaluation and ETS operator training,” said Transportation Services General Manager Dorian Wandzura.
The Metro Line was originally expected to be ready for passengers in April 2014. In December 2013, the city announced the opening date would be pushed back to June 2014. In March 2014, the date was pushed back to the end of the year. Then in October 2014, the opening date was yet again pushed back. At that time, transportation officials said the Metro Line would be up and running by early 2015. And most recently, in December 2014, the city announced the signalling system handover was delayed, but that an early 2015 opening was still scheduled.
“Without question, these delays are unacceptable to city council,” said Mayor Don Iveson. “We will be doing everything within our power to hold accountable those responsible, in due course.”
Iveson says city administration has heard “loud and clear” the frustrations from council and the public on how the project has been managed.
WATCH: For the fifth time, Edmonton’s Metro LRT Line has been delayed. As Vinesh Pratap reports, a new time frame has been given, but it’s not guaranteed.
“On face of it, it is still unacceptable how long this is taking. The year-long delay now is unacceptable, but I can’t change the fact that it has occurred. Again, the focus has to be on working together to complete the project.”
READ MORE: Signalling issue continues for much-delayed Metro LRT line
While construction on the $665 million project was completed on schedule, there have been issues integrating the new Communication Based Train Control system with the existing LRT signalling system. Thales Rail Signalling Solutions Inc. VP Mario Peloquin says he appreciates everyone’s patience as crews work to complete the work.
“We understand how important this essential transportation infrastructure is for the people of Edmonton, and we remain committed to delivering an outstanding product that is safe, efficient and reliable and that will serve the city for generations to come,” said Peloquin.
The CBTC system allows LRT trains to detect how close they are to each other, with oversight by a centralized master control.
The 3.3-kilometre Metro Line is an extension from Churchill LRT Station in downtown Edmonton northwest to NAIT. It’s expected to add 13,200 weekday riders to the city’s LRT network.
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