It’s a classic north versus south showdown, and the winner could get the coveted light rail transit (LRT) extension.
If one takes a pragmatic look at the arguments of both sides, it becomes rather apparent that the rapid growth on the south side of Edmonton, coupled with the building of a new hospital, should win the case for LRT expansion. That, of course, is not good news for those LRT proponents who reside in St. Albert.
St. Albert has been, albeit softly, lobbying for a north LRT extension to reach the designated park and ride at the old St. Joseph’s Seminary site on the southeast corner of St. Albert Trail and the Anthony Henday. Construction of LRT lines are billion-dollar propositions, and if we remove politics from the discourse, the question of viability needs to be asked.
There are certain factors that go into determining the building of a LRT line: population density, traffic congestion easement, economic development potential, accessibility (convenience) and of course the price tag, to name just a few. Successful LRT lines – those whose trains are at capacity during peak times – usually require high enough population densities along the route to ensure there are enough people within walking distance of the stations. If the population is there, economic opportunities, particularly for commercial development, typically follow.
Does an LRT line extending to St. Albert’s southeast border meet the criteria? St. Albert is a sprawling city, meaning St. Albertans would have to drive (or take a bus) to access the LRT. Yes, many people do that today to get to Village Landing to catch a bus. The difference, however, is Village Landing is a convenient location for many St. Albert residents, and even walkable for those who live in parts of Grandin or Sturgeon. The south end park and ride, where an LRT station would eventually be built should the LRT line ever make it there, would require a commute of five to 15, even 20 minutes, depending on where one lives in the city.
The other, and perhaps more important factor to consider is the advancement of technology. By the time the St. Albert leg of the LRT is built, which could be 20 years or more, it’s quite conceivable autonomous vehicles will be ruling our roadways. Imagine summoning an Uber self-driving car to get to work. It’s likely fleets of autonomous vehicles will be privately owned, and with no need to pay a driver (and quite likely no need to put gasoline in it), the fares should be relatively inexpensive. When one compares this to the cost of owning a vehicle (insurance, parking, wear-and-tear), it’s not hard to imagine people opting for the more convenient, stress-free option.
Edmonton’s north-south battle for the LRT extension is heating up as we approach the municipal election in October. The question for St. Albert residents is, “Will it really matter?”.
