Edmonton councillor says LRT extension plan ‘not feasible’, wants alternatives

The Blatchford gate in north central Edmonton has been quiet and unused for over two years, but when it becomes operational, this might be the last stop for the metro line extension.

As the city administration looks for options to connect communities in the city’s northwest, one councillor saying the current plan is unrealistic.

Ward Anirniq Councillor Erin Rutherford says the City’s plan to connect seven stations, including one in Saint Albert, would require more funding from all levels of government, especially, for things like building a bridge to cross the CN rail yard.

 “The cost of major capital projects and inflation, when what has already been the biggest section of that extension going from Blatchford to Lauderdale, is bigger than half the cost of the entire line to extend,” Rutherford said.

Emily Stremel, chair, Edmonton Transit Riders, says not having the LRT extension to the north side would be “heartbreaking because a lot of people have been expecting it.”

Stremel said she understands Rutherford’s concerns and would support alternative options like a rapid bus corridor.

 “This is using like road infrastructure and buses, but it can absolutely provide the frequency and reliability that trains do, as long as it has a dedicated lane where it’s not getting stuck in traffic,” Stremel said.

“Those are the things that can absolutely provide a fantastic level of service to the north side, and we absolutely want to see that move forward,” she added.

Rutherford says she still wants to have LRT stations on the north side of the city but says she doesn’t want to let her residents wait for another two to threes decades for a proper mass transit adding that planned a rapid bus route should still help and connect to the future stations.