New LRT station opens at NAIT Saturday well ahead of schedule
It isn't a very long line of track or the biggest stop along Edmonton's LRT network, but the new Metro Line expansion is open ahead of schedule – and on budget.
The NAIT/Blatchford Market LRT station on 109 Street and 116 Avenue was completed in December and opened to passengers Saturday.
The station was initially expected to be finished in 2025. Mayor Amarjeet Sohi said Tuesday the completion was a "significant infrastructure milestone."
“This extension further strengthens our LRT network and provides the north side of Edmonton with greater access to transit service," he said in a press release.
Tuesday, the city said the station had also been completed within its budget.
The new larger platform replaces the temporary NAIT LRT station. The city said the larger space will help meet future increases in ridership.
"The existing station is 100 metres long and accommodates up to three trains, whereas the new platform is close to 150 metres in length and allows to accommodate up to five trains long," said City of Edmonton project manager Eva Cheung.
It's around 100 metres more of a walk from the NAIT campus, but some students Saturday said they don't mind more steps if it means a more comfortable stop.
"I’m super excited about it," said student Leilah Zacharias. "I take this to school every single day and it’s super freezing all the time, so the fact that it’s going to be warmer makes me excited and makes me want to come to school more."
"It’s Canadian winter, it gets cold out here," said student Peter Grant. "So it’s good students have a place to wait for the train."
Bus and LRT service at the new NAIT/Blatchford Market station will remain the same as the temporary station, which has been closed. The city said work to demolish it and reclaim materials would start in the weeks following the opening.
Down the line, another station has also been completed but remains closed.
The Blatchford Gate LRT station is located further north. The city said it won't be opened until it meets the city's Transit Service Standards, which dictate when and how to add more service.
The area's member of Parliament said having the stop ready is important for unlocking the community's potential.
"That vision of 35,000 people living on the old airport site, the Blatchford community, making sure that that community is linked by LRT is really important," Randy Boissonnault, Edmonton Centre MP.
Both new stations are part of the first phase of the 1.6-kilometre Metro Line LRT northwest expansion.
The next phase will connect Blatchford Gate to a future station in Castle Downs.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
PWHL Minnesota defeats Boston to win inaugural Walter Cup
PWHL Minnesota defeated Boston 3-0 in Game 5 to win the league's inaugural Walter Cup championship.
Canadians are eyeing moves to these cities for more affordable housing
Faced with elevated housing prices, half of Canadians in the country's largest cities are considering moving to places with more affordable housing.
B.C. mortgage broker ran $270-million Ponzi scheme, then fled Canada, bankruptcy trustee says
The trustee appointed to manage the bankruptcies of a Victoria mortgage company and its owner has concluded that they committed "numerous offences" and operated as a "massive Ponzi scheme."
Edmonton Oilers set to make lineup changes for Game 4 of Western Conference final
The Edmonton Oilers are shaking things up. Down 2-1 in the NHL's Western Conference final to the Dallas Stars, head coach Kris Knoblauch confirmed there would be lineup changes for tonight's Game 4.
McDonald's says $18 Big Mac meal was an 'exception' and their prices haven't risen that much
McDonald’s is fighting back against viral tweets and media reports that it says have exaggerated its price increases.
'Targeted again': Montreal police investigate after gunshot fired at Jewish school
Police are investigating another building in Montreal's community was struck by gunfire.
Tessa Virtue reveals she's expecting her first child. Here's what Canadians had to say
Canadian figure-skating icon Tessa Virtue is expecting her first child, she revealed via social media Tuesday.
Poilievre says Canadians 'fleeing' to Nicaragua, Liberals say it shows he 'doesn't have a clue'
Liberal parliamentarians are criticizing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre over a new video in which he promotes the idea that some Canadians are 'fleeing' Canada to live in Nicaragua because they can't afford a house in this country.
'Do not drive': Nissan warns Canadian drivers of explosion risk impacting 48,000 vehicles
Car manufacturer Nissan has issued a do-not-drive warning for some older vehicles equipped with Takata airbag inflators, due to the risk of explosion during a crash.