Edmonton Valley Line West LRT celebrates first construction season
Federal, provincial and municipal representatives, along with Marigold Infrastructure Partners, joined together on May 27 to mark the first full construction season of the city of Edmonton’s Valley Line West light-rail transit (LRT) expansion.
Marigold, which consists of team members from Colas, Parsons, Standard General, Francl Architecture, Fast & Epp and Stantec, was selected to design, build and partially-finance the project in 2020. Construction on the 14-km (8.7-mile) Valley Line West LRT expansion began in 2021 and is expected to finish in 2027. Marigold has performed utility relocations, grading, drainage and other early work before major construction begins.
The firm is starting the 2022 construction season with continued preparatory activities, as well as major work on the elevated guideway and two elevated stations at West Edmonton Mall and Misericordia Community Hospital.
Edmonton anticipates growing to a population of two million people in the coming decades and the light-rail extension will connect communities in west Edmonton to the city’s existing transit network.
Valley Line West LRT includes 14 stops and two elevated stations. The city describes the stops as smaller-scale and spaced closely in communities to make it easier for people to use sustainable travel modes, such as transit, biking and walking, in their daily lives.
“By expanding Edmonton's current LRT services across the city, we will create a reliable, safe and affordable transit system that allows Edmontonians to get where they need to be, when they need to be there. Public transit is an essential part of a city's infrastructure, and this expansion will contribute to Edmonton’s economic growth and overall city vibrancy," said Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi.
The C$2.6 billion (US$2.05 billion) project is supported with C$948 million (US$748 million) from the government of Canada and C$1.04 billion (US$820 million) from the government of Alberta.
“Alberta’s government is pleased to make this significant investment in Edmonton’s transit network. Access to public transit is a critical component to Alberta’s economic recovery. Transit allows people to get to work or school, visit family and friends, and removes barriers to mobility. The province’s commitment in the Valley Line West LRT helps mark the culmination of years of hard work and planning by many partners involved in this project,” said Alberta’s Minister of Transportation Rajan Sawhney.
Mischa Wanek-Libman | Group Editorial Director
Mischa Wanek-Libman is director of communications with Transdev North America. She has more than 20 years of experience working in the transportation industry covering construction projects, engineering challenges, transit and rail operations and best practices.
Wanek-Libman has held top editorial positions at freight rail and public transportation business-to-business publications including as editor-in-chief and editorial director of Mass Transit from 2018-2024. She has been recognized for editorial excellence through her individual work, as well as for collaborative content.
She is an active member of the American Public Transportation Association's Marketing and Communications Committee and served 14 years as a Board Observer on the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Board of Directors.
She is a graduate of Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication.
