On May 16, the LRT project team discussed recommended project scope changes with City Council that are needed to remain within the approved project funding. Changes to the project scope were the result of significant economic pressures and market uncertainty that arose since the original project cost estimate was prepared in 2020. The following scope reductions/deferrals were recommended and approved by Council:
- Heritage Valley North Station (changed from elevated station to at-grade station)
- Heritage Valley Park & Ride (deferred the expansion (from 1100 stalls to 1900 stalls) to a future project)
- LRV order (reduced to minimum service requirement and spares)
- Operations & Maintenance Facility (reduced storage capacity for LRVs, and repurposed ROW equipment storage area for interim light maintenance)
On May 16, three motions were made at Council. Below is a high-level summary of Council’s decisions:
- Twin Brooks station will get built.
- Visual screen wall will not be made of concrete or brick (the decision has been made to build an 8-foot tall wooden visual screen fence).
- Project team will prepare a cost analysis for future construction of a grade-separated Ellerslie Road between 127 Street and 135 Street.
- This cost analysis is just for information, not for making a final decision about grade separation as Phase 1 of the project does not cross Ellerslie Road. A decision about grade separation at Ellerslie Road will be made at a future date that has yet to be determined.