Let’s Put Edmonton’s Metro Line Northwest LRT Back on Track!
Hey folks, let’s talk about transit and the disappointing report that came out last week regarding the Metro Line Northwest LRT expansion. Last Friday, City Administration released a report on a proposed Mass Transit plan for Edmonton as our population grows.
The report includes plans for LRT expansion for when Edmonton’s population reaches 1.25 million people (approx. 10-15 years from now), and planning for 2 million people (approx. 40-50 years from now).
My most pressing concern is that the Metro Line Northwest LRT expansion was previously scheduled for completion in less than 20 years (2040) and this report puts the expansion in the timeframe of 40-50 years from now. AND, notably, there is a NEW proposed LRT expansion with the Capital Line in the South.
A little more background on this - Previously the City planned for the Metro Line Northwest expansion to be constructed in 3 phases (see picture);
Phase 1 NAIT to Blatchford,
Phase 2 Blatchford to Castledowns,
Phase 3 Castledowns to Campbell Road
Phase 1 is expected to be operational in 2024/2025. Phases 2 & 3 were reported to be complete by 2040 - making the entire Metro Line Northwest LRT operational in less than 20 years. This new report significantly pushes back that timeline.
Edmontonians are clear that we need a robust public transit system that supports access to all areas within City limits. If we have a system that makes a whole quadrant of our City less accessible, then our system is under-serving the entire City. We need to support an accessible transit system for ALL Edmontonians.
I hear and share your frustrations with the news of the proposed changes.
I’ll ABSOLUTELY be vocalizing your concerns with this report and making it clear that moving forward with this plan is not in the best interest of all Edmontonians. A Council decision has not been made on this report.
So where do we go from here? Lend your voice by supporting Council to understand the impacts of this re-prioritization before February 15th! What do you think of the proposed changes? Contact me if you need any support.
Here are 2 ways to share your feedback:
1.Register to speak at committee. The Mass Transit report (link provided below) is coming to Urban Planning Committee on FEBRUARY 15, 2022 for discussion.
Here’s the link to register to speak: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfjK1JQOPRWVORUVKsSbRn3yLN5E9vcVLu3nifMO4N1ZfmgFg/viewform
2. Send an email to City Council. You can email your Councillor or send a message to all of Council by selecting “Send a message on an item on a scheduled Public Hearing, Council or Committee Meeting Agenda.” Then select Urban Planning Committee on February 15, 2022. https://coewebapps.edmonton.ca/contactcouncil/default.aspx
LET’S PUT EDMONTON METRO LINE NORTHWEST LRT BACK ON TRACK!
Link to the report Council received on proposed changes to Mass Transit:
https://pub-edmonton.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=128732
