Capital Line South History

In 2008, City Council approved the Concept Plan for the Capital Line South from Century Park to the south city limit (Allard/Desrochers). The Concept Plan confirmed the LRT corridor (route) and alignment (where the tracks will be within the corridor).

In 2010, the preliminary design for Phase 1 of Capital Line South between Century Park and Ellerslie Road was completed.

In September 2016, the federal government provided Public Transit Infrastructure Funds to support further development of the LRT Network Plan by the City of Edmonton.

In 2017, additional preliminary engineering from Century Park to Ellerslie Road was started to review and refresh the preliminary design, bring the project up to current standards and reflect the principles of Urban LRT.

Public Engagement

Public engagement has been an essential part of the development of the Capital Line South extension. The City undertook public engagement programs for the Capital Line South Concept Plan (2008) and preliminary design (2010). Further public engagement was completed between 2017-2018. Feedback from this engagement helped shape the recommendations in the Capital Line proposed Concept Plans and Crossing Assessments report and the preliminary design update. The City held final public information sessions September 2018 and January of 2020 to learn more about the public preferences about the plan for the Heritage Valley Trail and Ellerslie Road intersection.

The public information and engagement sessions were supported by early online engagement through the City’s website, direct outreach to key stakeholders, a number of pop-up events at locations along the corridor and a final online public survey. The public provided input to the project team on the presented options shown for the project, and discussed issues and impacts. Public feedback also helped shape the look and feel of certain design elements. You can find more information about the public engagement sessions in the sections below.

Indigenous Engagement

Throughout 2017 and 2018 the City undertook an LRT Indigenous engagement program. The purpose of the program was for meaningful engagement between the City and Indigenous communities, with the intent of sharing information, gathering feedback, knowledge and perspectives. In the summer of 2018, the Capital Line South project completed four site tours with the 21 Indigenous communities that expressed interest in attending. The input received from the communities was organized in a general summary report and shared back with the communities. This Indigenous engagement process is continuing as the City of Edmonton strives to build and strengthen ongoing relationships with Alberta’s Indigenous communities.

Determining How the LRT Will Fit

City awards the Design-Build contract for Phase 1

Capital Line Design-Build Ltd., a member of the Ledcor Group of Companies, with AECOM as their design partner, has been awarded the contract for Phase 1 of the Capital Line South Extension project from Century Park to north of Ellerslie Road.

Capital Line Design-Build Ltd. will begin major construction in 2025. Construction is anticipated to take 4–5 years to complete, followed by testing and commissioning.

Capital Line South LRT Extension - Summary of Survey Results

Between December 14, 2022, and January 22, 2023, the City of Edmonton gathered public feedback and provided information through a survey about the approved Twin Brooks Station that is part of Phase 1 of the Capital Line South LRT Extension project. The survey closed with a total of 1,788 respondents and over 2,600 comments received through open-text questions. The City compiled the feedback from the survey and recorded it in a summarized report .

December 2022: Noise Study

A noise study along 111 Street, between Century Park and Anthony Henday Drive, was undertaken in 2018 to determine if noise mitigation would be required to meet the City of Edmonton Urban Traffic Noise Policy (UTNP) C506A. The study indicated that future average noise levels, including traffic and LRT, would not exceed 65 dBA, the level that triggers the requirement for noise mitigation; which is often in the form of noise barriers. Refer to the 2018 noise study for additional information.

As funding for the Capital Line South Extension has been approved, and to meet public needs, a second noise study was conducted in October 2022 to establish the current noise levels at ten residential locations along 111 Street, between Century Park and Anthony Henday Drive.

The 2022 noise monitoring data, the most recent project drawings, which included LRT and road alignments, along with the projected traffic data for 2050 was used in a computer noise model. The noise modelling results indicated noise levels ranging from 52.7 – 62.0 dBA Leq24. Since all future noise levels are below 65 dBA, noise mitigation, such as noise barriers, will not be required to meet the City of Edmonton Urban Traffic Noise Policy (UTNP), C506A.

If you are interested in reading the complete 2022 noise study, please contact the LRT projects team at LRTprojects@edmonton.ca or 780-496-4874.

September 21, 2022: Public Information Session

The City was invited to present a project overview at the George P. Nicholson school. Residents were invited to receive information and updates.

Meeting Materials:

Capital Line South Extension Phase 1 - Project Overview

September 12, 2022: Procurement Update

The Capital Line South Extension project has entered into procurement which involves undertaking a rigorous competitive process to select a team who can effectively deliver the project. As of September 12, 2022, the Evaluation Committee reviewed the submissions received and created a shortlist. The independent Fairness Monitor assigned to oversee the process has issued its final letter report.

Shortlist

Final Letter Report

June 2021 Project Update

City Council approved the municipal funding contribution of $333 million for the Capital Line South LRT extension from Century Park to Ellerslie Road.

The Government of Alberta has approved the business case and committed $300 million for the Capital Line extension south of Century Park. This funding is part of the $2.94 billion previously committed by both the federal and provincial governments for LRT network extension in Edmonton.

June 2020: City Council Motion in Favour

City Council voted in favour of a motion that makes the Capital Line South LRT extension from Century Park to Ellerslie Road the City’s next priority for LRT expansion.

The Governments of Canada and Alberta have committed $2.94 billion for LRT network expansion in Edmonton. A total of $2.25 billion has been approved for the Valley Line West and Metro Line extension projects, which leaves $690 million in available LRT infrastructure funding.

With Council’s endorsement of the extension, the City can move forward with discussions with our funding partners about the project.

September 18 and 20, 2018: Public Meetings

Those who attended the meetings learned about the City’s grade separation (tracks above, below or at street-level) recommendations and initial results of the summer online survey. There was also the opportunity to share feedback on landscaping and the ‘look and feel’ around the recommended Twin Brooks Station and Operations Maintenance Facility.

Administration's final recommendations will be taken to city council for approval at a non-statutory public hearing. City council postponed the non-statutory public hearing to January 22, 2019.

Meeting Materials:

Display Boards

Fact Sheet

Environmental Traffic Noise

Safety Considerations

Project Area - Part A

Project Area - Part B

Comment Form - Submission deadline October 5, 2018

What We Heard Report - November 2018

November 29, 2017: Public Information Session

Residents were invited to the Heritage Valley Park & Ride, Capital Line South LRT Extension and 135 Street/Anthony Henday Drive Connection Public Information Session to receive information and updates on the three projects.

The Capital Line South LRT Extension will run from the current Century Park Station to Ellerslie Road. It will connect to the Heritage Valley Park & Ride located at the northwest corner of Ellerslie Road and 127 Street. 135 Street connection to Anthony Henday Drive will replace the existing access at 127 Street. It will also provide transit access from Anthony Henday Drive to Heritage Valley Park & Ride.

135 Street / Anthony Henday Drive Connection Display Boards (6 MB)

Capital Line South LRT Extension Alignment (3 MB)

Capital Line South LRT Extension Display Boards (1 MB)

Future Operations and Maintenance Facility (OMF) Layout (2 MB)

Heritage Valley Park & Ride Display Boards (3 MB)

Fact Sheet

What We Heard Report - November 2017

September 2017: Capital Line South Extension Survey and Pop-ups

During the summer and early fall 2017, a number of pop-ups were held along the future extension alignment to allow residents an opportunity to provide their input on the project.

The Capital Line South Extension Survey closed on September 30, 2017.

What We Heard - December 2017

The survey results helped determine if the direction of the 2010 preliminary design still meets the community's needs.

June 2017: Updating Preliminary Design

Additional preliminary engineering from Century Park to Ellerslie Road was started to review and refresh of the preliminary design, bring the project up to current standards and reflect the principles of Urban LRT.

Reviewing

The current LRT work will look at:

The possibility to add a station adjacent to Twin Brooks to reflect Urban LRT principles
How the stations are integrated into the adjacent communities, with regards to aesthetics and materials
Assessing 9 and 12 Avenues, Saddleback Road and Ellerslie Road, for potential raised or lowered crossings from street level using a Council approved assessment framework

Fall 2016: Supplemental Work Started

With funding from the Federal Government, the City started supplemental work on the Capital Line South Extension.

Updating of the preliminary design was initiated in June 2017 and is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2018. No timeline or funding for construction has been confirmed at this time.

Fact Sheet

Century Park to Ellerslie Road Map

March 28, 2013: The Capital Line Name is Announced

Following extensive public input, the names of the current and future LRT lines were decided.

Capital Line was selected as the name for the LRT route running from northeast Edmonton to the south city limit. The South LRT Extension is now called Capital Line South Extension.

April 2011: Preliminary Engineering Century Park to Ellerslie Road

Preliminary engineering for an LRT extension from Century Park to Ellerslie Road station is complete. This included an evaluation of geotechnical, noise, vibration, drainage, system controls, environmental, architectural and landscaping elements.

Fact Sheet

October 2010: Partial Concept Planning Approved

Concepts plans for the 3 km extension from Ellerslie Road to 41 Avenue SW have been brought up-to-date with the Neighbourhood Area Structure Plans (NASP) for Heritage Valley Town Centre and Desrochers. These plans were approved by City Council in October 2009 and October 2010.

Concept Plans – Ellerslie Road to 41 Avenue SW

Ellerslie Road to 41 Avenue SW Map

May 2010: Preliminary Engineering to Ellerslie Road Completed

Preliminary Engineering for the first 4.5 km from Century Park to Ellerslie Road was completed in 2010.

Century Park to Ellerslie Road Map

Century Park to Ellerslie Rd Preliminary Engineering Brochure

April 2010: Information Sessions

The City presented the recommended preliminary design plans for the future South LRT extension. Feedback from previous open house, resident and business meetings and Stakeholder Information Panel meetings in Fall 2009 were considered in the development of the preliminary design plans.

Information Session Displays

Preliminary Engineering Handout

Information Session Summary

December 10, 2009: Stakeholder Information Panel Meeting

The City met with the Stakeholder Information Panel to gather feedback regarding specific landscaping and aesthetic themes and share updates on the status of the project.

Presentation

Minutes

October 2009: Open House

The City held an open house to share information and gather input on the project.

Open House Displays

Open House Summary

September 24, 2009: Stakeholder Information Panel Meeting

The City met with the Stakeholder Information Panel to gather input on impacts of the project.

Presentation

Minutes

August 2009: Residential Land Owner and Business Owner/Operator Meeting

The City presented and gathered input in addressing possible impacts to communities along the alignment.

Meeting Summary

July 2009: Fact Sheet

In July 2008, Edmonton City Council approved the Concept Plan for the South LRT Extension from Century Park to the South City Limit. Preliminary Engineering to Ellerslie Road was initiated in April 2009 after funding was approved by Council, and is scheduled for completion in January 2010.

Preliminary Engineering Fact Sheet

Deciding Where The Route Will Run

March 2009: Park and Ride Open House

Shared information with local residents about a potential temporary Park and Ride at Ellerslie Road.

Having evaluated the temporary Park and Ride against other options, the City decided to proceed with a permanent Park and Ride facility at the Ellerslie Road/127 Street location. A temporary Park and Ride at the Century Park LRT station will provide service to commuters while the facility at Ellerslie Road is constructed.

July 8, 2008: Council Approved Concept Plan

City Council approved the South LRT Extension from Century Park to the south City limit.

City Council Meeting Minutes July 8, 2008 (Item E)

How it Started

In 1999 Council approved a Transportation Master Plan, The Way We Move, that recommended a city-wide high-speed transit system

In 2004 a study was conducted and recommended high-speed transit was suitable between downtown and NAIT

December 2008

December 2008, City Council approved a new criteria for LRT Route Planning and Evaluation. This criteria reflected a shift in the City’s strategic planning direction, as reflected in The Way We Move and The Way We Grow. For LRT and Transit investments, the original goal was to minimize travel times and increase ridership, but the new focus was finding a balance of travel time and shaping land use.

2008 to 2009

Planning Studies and Policy Change

At this time, planning studies were underway for a West LRT line. However, the change in policy direction led to a decision to re-evaluate potential west routes.

In 2009, the City also completed a long-term study to define the future size, scale and operation of Edmonton’s LRT system. The Network Plan calls for the potential development of five LRT lines across the city. For lines that don’t physically connect into the existing system, such as the Valley Line, the network plan called for the development of an urban-style LRT. This means the system should have smaller, more frequent stops that are better connected to the surrounding community.

LRT Route Planning and Evaluation Criteria

Building LRT

Community Advisory Committee (CAC) Meeting Agendas and Minutes

Date	Meeting number by Year	Agendas	Minutes
June 20, 2024	Meeting 4	Agenda	Minutes
November 29, 2023	Meeting 3	Agenda	Minutes
June 12, 2023	Meeting 2	Agenda	Minutes
January 11, 2023	Meeting 1	Agenda	Minutes
January 10, 2019	Meeting 6	Agenda	Minutes
August 29, 2018	Meeting 5	Agenda	Minutes
April 25, 2018	Meeting 4	Agenda	Minutes
March 28, 2018	Meeting 3	Agenda	Minutes
January 31, 2018	Meeting 2	Agenda	Minutes
November 8, 2017	Meeting 1	Agenda	Minutes

Date

Meeting number by Year

Agendas

Minutes

June 20, 2024

Meeting 4

Agenda

Minutes

November 29, 2023

Meeting 3

Agenda

Minutes

June 12, 2023

Meeting 2

Agenda

Minutes

January 11, 2023

Meeting 1

Agenda

Minutes

January 10, 2019

Meeting 6

Agenda

Minutes

August 29, 2018

Meeting 5

Agenda

Minutes

April 25, 2018

Meeting 4

Agenda

Minutes

March 28, 2018

Meeting 3

Agenda

Minutes

January 31, 2018

Meeting 2

Agenda

Minutes

November 8, 2017

Meeting 1

Agenda

Minutes

Names of CAC members have been removed from the meeting minutes in compliance with Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy legislation. Attachments referred to in meeting notes are not included. Some attachments are available online, while others were only for CAC members' information.

Canada Post Service Disruption

Public Engagement

Indigenous Engagement

Determining How the LRT Will Fit

Reviewing

Deciding Where The Route Will Run

How it Started

Community Advisory Committee (CAC) Meeting Agendas and Minutes

Building LRT

Future LRT

Metro Line North (operational) History

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