The city of Edmonton remains cautiously optimistic the Metro Line will open this spring after completing an initial review of the handover material from its signalling system contractor, Thales Rail Signalling Solutions Inc.
While Thales provided much of the required documentation on March 23, including a safety certificate, the city needs several additional documents before it can consider the handover complete. The city has submitted this request to Thales and expects that it will provide a timely response.
The signalling system is essential to the overall safe operation of the Metro Line. The city’s primary duty is to public safety and handover of the signalling system cannot be completed until the city has received the necessary documentation to sufficiently evaluate all safety aspects.
Once handover of the Metro Line is complete, the city will need approximately six weeks to complete staff training and other preparations before bringing the Metro Line into safe, efficient and reliable public service.
The Metro Line represents the next major step towards transforming Edmonton’s transportation system. It is expected to add 13,200 weekday riders to Edmonton’s LRT network and link major destinations like NAIT, the Royal Alexandra Hospital and MacEwan University to the rest of the network.
