St. Albertans might be waiting longer to hop on the LRT and ride into Edmonton, according to Edmonton’s newly released mass transit report.
The Feb. 4 report indicated the Metro Line LRT extension — which would run through Edmonton’s Castle Downs neighbourhood and then up to St. Albert — has fallen in priority, and is now next in line after an extension in Edmonton’s south.
Reasons for the switch-up include city predictions that future growth in Edmonton’s south — for example, the planned addition of a new hospital — will generate more transit trips sooner than an extension in the north. While the deprioritization is recommended by Edmonton city administration, Edmonton city council will have final say in which line is prioritized.
Mayor Cathy Heron said she “can’t express how disappointed” she is with the news, noting she will be meeting with Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi and Coun. Andrew Knack, who sits on the Edmonton Metropolitan Transit Services Commission.
“We have been working so well side-by-side with the City of Edmonton on transit,” Heron said, noting St. Albert shared the cost of an LRT alignment study and built a $30-million park and ride, which will be the eventual terminus of the Metro Line extension.
Though the news is “very upsetting,” Heron said she is open to hearing the city’s reasoning.
“I would understand the reasoning when it’s about ridership … but at some point, relationships count,” Heron said.
Heron said in the past, former Edmonton mayor Don Iveson remained in close dialogue over news about the LRT.
“Amarjeet and I need to establish that relationship,” Heron said.
Heron highlighted the transit commission’s goal of building a regional transit system, noting that St. Albert Coun. Wes Brodhead is commission chair.
According to Heron, Brodhead’s position is “one of the biggest advantages St. Albert has” in conversations going forward, noting that although the LRT is not part of the transit commission, in the future all transit service will be shared by the region.
“I’m hoping that we can present our case that St. Albert is the right place for the LRT to go next,” Heron said.
