by Lime Green Sphere

Created on: May 09, 2008

Who can say no to fast, reliable and clean transportation offered by LRT (Light Rail Transit)?

Edmonton is experiencing massive growth. Alberta's energy sector is booming and the result is clogged roads full of stopped cars belching out exhaust fumes. Already stressed infrastructure is being stressed by the addition of approximately 20,000 residents annually. The situation will only be aggravated as new oil sands extraction projects are beginning to open up. The solution is clearly the fast, clean, efficient transportation afforded by LRT.

Edmonton is in the process of reviewing several possible LRT expansion routes, such as the ongoing expansion to Southgate, and plans are being laid out to expand to the West, North, East and NAIT.

"Edmonton was the first city in North America with a population of less than one million to build a modern light rail system. The route first started construction in 1974, and opened its first segment on April 22, 1978, in time for the 1978 Commonwealth Games. The line followed a CN right-of-way from Belvedere Station to Stadium Station, via an intermediate stop at Coliseum Station (near the Northlands Coliseum, now Rexall Place), and then continued in a tunnel under 99 Street to Central Station, at Jasper Avenue and 100 Street, including an intermediate stop, Churchill. The original line was 6.9 km long.

When the line opened, fare collection was modelled on traditional rapid transit lines, with booth attendants. Low volumes of activity at some entrances led to weekend closures of alternate station entrances. In November 1980, Edmonton Transit as it was then named switched to a modified European-style "proof of payment" system, initially retaining the old turnstiles to issue the new receipts. Fares were now collected by roving inspectors, which permitted keeping all entrances open and required fewer staff.

On April 26, 1981, ETS opened a northeastern-bound extension of 2.2 km on the CN right-of-way to Clareview Station. In June 1983, the light rail tunnel downtown was extended by 0.8 km to Bay and Corona stations, and was extended again in September 1989 by one station and 0.8 km to Grandin (below the Alberta Legislature). On August 23, 1992, the next extension opened from Grandin to University Station, partially via a North Saskatchewan River crossing with a lower level for pedestrians and cyclists, and partially via a tunnel into the University Station. On January 1, 2006, the line was extended 0.64 km south through the University Campus to the Health Sciences Station, which is located at street level.

Every station on the line built since 1983 has been built with full accessibility for the disabled, although the line was semi-navigable by disabled passengers from its opening. In the late 1990s, Clareview and Belvedere Stations were covered and also had their platforms lengthened to allow for the use of five-car trains." -Wikipedia

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