EDMONTON — Another deadline for the Metro Line has passed, and there’s still no sign of when the new LRT tracks will begin carrying passengers.
The problem-plagued line between Churchill Station and NAIT was supposed to open in April 2014, but has face delay after delay (after yet another delay), because of issues with the signalling software designed by Thales Canada. There have been problems integrating the existing decades-old signalling system with new Thales equipment.
The city indicated the contractor faces financial penalties for delayed delivery, but the specifics are not being released.
On Tuesday, a city spokeswoman confirmed Charles Stolte, the manager for Edmonton Transit System, was no longer employed by the City of Edmonton. She could not confirm if his departure was related to the Metro Line delays. The eight sections of ETS, as well as security and risk management, report to the ETS manager.
“We typically don’t discuss the reason behind changes in personnel,” said Transportation General Manager Dorian Wandzura, “but what I can tell you is that ETS and Transportation has got 3,000 people that are all focused on meeting council’s vision and that’s really what we’re focused on.”
Earlier this year city officials were “cautiously optimistic” the line would be ready to open in May. It’s now June, but the city has not committed to an official opening date.
Test trains have been seen on the route, but the line is still not ready. Some reliability issues have emerged, such as incorrect information on display boards and computer screens that freeze.
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“The contractor has taken responsibility and has sent in a team to get this work done,” said Ward 6 Councillor Scott McKeen.
McKeen said he doesn’t want to see people lose their jobs, but he does want answers and is tired of waiting.
“The question I have, and I think we all have on council, is ‘what role did city administration play in this delay?’”
The 3.3 kilometre line will branch off from the main line underground at Churchill, before coming above ground.
It has three new stations as it heads northwest: MacEwan (located beside the new downtown arena), Kingsway/ Royal Alex and NAIT. Construction is complete at those stations.
At a cost of $665 million dollars, the Metro Line is one of the most expensive publicly funded projects in Edmonton.
The main Capital Line currently runs from Century Park to Clareview and will continue to do so once the Metro Line opens.
The new Metro Line is supposed to run between NAIT and the Health Sciences/Jubilee Station, but that’s not how it will run at first.
During peak hours, Metro Line trains will run every 15 minutes between Century Park and NAIT. During off peak hours (weekdays after 10 p.m., Saturdays after 7 p.m. And all day Sundays) Metro Line trains will run on their regular route.
That is, once it actually begins running.
With files from Vinesh Pratap, Global News
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