Downtown resident loses sleep over LRT construction

Jesse More can’t sleep.

It’s the noise from LRT construction.

The Yellowhead Brewery employee lives in an apartment building near the Valley Line LRT route at 97 Street and 102 Avenue, with his bedroom window about six metres away.

Construction on the line was granted a noise bylaw exemption from the City of Edmonton, despite the proximity of the 75-suite residential tower, allowing for large and loud construction equipment to run 24 hours a day.

“It’s pretty relentless,” More said.

Using a sound level meter, More said constant noise from the heavy machinery reaches about 60 decibels inside his apartment. There is jackhammering, excavation, concrete cutting and backup alarms.

“It’s very detrimental to not only my health — I’m totally exhausted right now — but also, the continuous, really loud noise, you have a headache,” he said. “It’s so loud.”

On Friday, More said he had had 10 to 12 hours of sleep since Monday.

What TransEd is doing is legal, which More said is unacceptable.

A TransEd website stated the work is expected to last two weeks. The website also said the work is being done at night to minimize traffic disruption.

Ward 6 Coun. Scott McKeen said his office is looking into the issue and he feels for the residents affected.