Does Edmonton’s Valley Line LRT need crossing arms?
Posted September 25, 2024 7:27 pm.
Last Updated September 26, 2024 8:16 am.
Collision after collision, Edmonton’s Valley Line Southeast LRT just can’t catch a break.
With two collisions this week alone, some commuters say they are worried.
“I mean we need some safety precaution too,” said one commuter.
Another saying, “There’s not really a huge indication of when the train is coming … You just need to see it and look around for it.”
Monday night, a cyclist had to be taken to hospital after colliding with the train near the Bonnie Doon Station. Police said he crossed the tracks against a red light.
READ MORE: Cyclist riding against red light collides with Valley Line SE train, police say
Tuesday, much of the line had to be shut down after a truck turning right on a red was hit by the LRT, sending one TransEd employee to hospital.
“Sooner or later if this collision keep happening, we’re gonna have a very serious outcome, and you know that scares me, that alarms me,” explained Tim Cartmell, Ward pihêsiwin Councillor.
Since its first operation in November last year, there have been 18 collisions between a vehicle and a train, while five between pedestrian or a cyclist and a train. Those numbers do not include collisions when the line was in testing.
Councillor Cartmell thinks it’s time for change.
“I don’t want to be an alarmist or dramatic about that but I wonder how long before we need to increase the level of safety which will mean fences or barriers or some other things to keep people off the rails generally along the length of it.”
Edmonton’s older LRTs — the Captial and Metro Line — have physical barriers like crossing gates. Some believe it’s needed on the Valley Line.
“I think so we do because like the other LRT they have, so it’s really helpful for the traffic, because people know it’s going down so we have to stop,” said a commuter CityNews spoke to.
“They don’t always see the trains so i think if they have the big red flashing light and the guard down they will be more inclined to pay attention.”
Councilor Cartmell says the City could add crossing guards with the Valley Line, but it would cost taxpayers, and mean a change in contracts.
When the Valley Line LRT was designed, nearby residents were promised they would avoid the noise associated with crossing arms, as the City chose instead to rely on driver behaviour and new traffic patterns, with right turns on red lights largely banned near the LRT.
“People must follow the safety rules, the basic rules. They know, they are aware about the safety because it’s a concern of everyone’s life.”
Something Councilor Anne Stevenson agrees with.
“It could be people adjusting to the new trains, again if there shifts that are needed and the timing of signals to help improve the safety, certainly interested looking at that … But overall I think immediately moving towards physical barriers, I think maybe a bit too soon,” said Stevenson.
A spokesperson for the City of Edmonton says they are confident people will continue to adjust to the new LRT line.
