Proposed Bonnie Doon LRT fix could cost $220M

Raising the Valley Line LRT above five intersections in the Bonnie Doon and Holyrood areas would add up to $220 million to the project, according to a new city report released Thursday. It would also require the city to buy and tear down six homes south of Whyte Avenue, create a barrier for the neighbourhood and could mean a delay of more than six months for opening the Valley Line.

“It seems like hitting a pin with a sledgehammer,” said Ward 8 Coun.

Ben Henderson, surprised at the scale of the possible fix. Under the new plan, LRT contractor TransEd would build an elevated station and tracks for 10 blocks running along 83 Street from north of 90 Avenue to south of 82 Avenue.

With or without the fix, traffic engineers expect the intersection at Whyte Avenue and 83 Street to get congested. By the time the LRT opens in 2020, that intersection will be operating at an F — the lowest grade on the engineering scale, and one that means vehicles will be waiting through multiple light cycles to get through during the afternoon rush hour. But raising the track will only shave 30 seconds off the time delay. Most of the delay is simply due to congestion.

Because the Valley Line LRT is meant to operate with the traffic, raising the train would also cut one to two minutes of travel time for LRT riders between downtown and Mill Woods.

“It seems like a very expensive and invasive solution,” said Henderson. “The discussion is worth having, but this sure feels like very expensive overkill to me.”

Councillors asked city officials to look at options for the Valley Line after the Metro Line snarled traffic around Kingsway Mall. It’s unclear if this specific report was generated in response to that request or if it’s a suggestion coming from the P3 contractor, TransEd.

Councillors will get a chance to debate this new proposal at an executive committee meeting next Tuesday.

The plan immediately found passionate fans on social media.

“If you’ve ever driven this route during rush hour, it’s a big enough nightmare,” Kiel Severson said on the Edmonton Journal’s urban affairs page. “Should have done this with the NAIT expansion.”

“Do it right the first time. Get it elevated,” said Ben Crawford on Twitter.

But many others are worried about the cost and impact on the

It seems like a very expensive and invasive solution ... This sure feels like very expensive overkill to me.

neighbourhoods. The Valley Line LRT is supposed to be more like a tram, integrated into the neighbourhood so it’s accessible for pedestrians and encourages redevelopment.

“I can’t believe this is even a debate. Of course keep it at grade,” said Tim Bryant on Twitter.

“Talking about spending $220 million to save drivers 30 seconds is insanity,” added Addison Babcock.

The change would mean reopening the P3 contract to build the Valley Line between downtown and Mill Woods. It would cost between $125 million and $220 million.

Dave Sutherland, civics director for the Holyrood community league, called the report a “bombshell.” Few people in his neighbourhood are concerned about the traffic and most he speaks with are looking forward to the LRT as planned, he said.

“$220 million is not insignificant,” he said. “Having a transit system we can afford to build is more important.”