Southeast LRT delays caused by cracks on piers 'deeply disappointing': mayor
The Valley Line Southeast LRT will not open this summer as planned.
The CEO of TransEd announced at Davies Station on Wednesday cracks had been found on three concrete piers that support the elevated tracks.
After further investigation, the company found a total of 18 piers that "may require strengthening."
"This issue will unfortunately delay the service commencement," TransEd CEO Ronald Joncas said. "We understand the disappointment and frustration…we were all anticipating and getting ready for the opening of the Valley Line Southeast LRT this summer. Sadly, this will not be possible.
"Once our engineering have completed the design to strengthen the pier and our construction experts have determined the additional construction work required, we will be in a better position to announce the target service commencement date."
The CEO said he's disappointed and apologized to Edmontonians. Joncas added there's no risk to the public and that it's safe to walk and drive under elevated sections along the LRT route.
DELAYS AND DISAPPOINTMENT
Construction started in 2016 and the route was scheduled to open in December 2020, but crews found a large concrete mass under the now open Tawatinâ Bridge in 2018 that delayed construction for months. Officials then delayed the opening date to within 2021, the end of 2021 and summer 2022.
Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi said the latest delays are "frustrating and deeply disappointing."
"TransEd has not delivered this project as expected. They are responsible for this delay and they will be held accountable to get the work completed and open a line that is safe to ride."
The Valley Line Southeast LRT is a public-private partnership, or P3, between Edmonton and TransEd, Sohi and City Manager Andre Corbould explained. The federal and provincial government also provided funding for the project.
When contracts were signed, the city expected to save about $500 million through the P3, Corbould said.
"We buy a product, we don't design it, we don't engineer it and we don't build it ourselves. Specialists do that," Corbould explained.
Other large projects such as the Walterdale Bridge, the 102 Avenue Bridge and the Metro Line LRT experienced years of issues and delays before they opened.
On Wednesday, Sohi asked administration for a comprehensive review on how the city builds such projects.
Corbould said TransEd will cover the financial costs of the delays.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Woman, 18, killed by co-worker's vehicle on Highway 1 in Moose Jaw
Moose Jaw police say an 18-year-old woman who was at work has died from injuries she sustained in a collision with a vehicle being driven by her co-worker last Thursday.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
MPs to vote on NDP motion calling on Canada to recognize Palestinian statehood
Members of Parliament will vote Monday on a motion from the federal New Democrats, calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine,' among a range of other calls to action in regards to the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict.