Edmonton Public Transit

[noodlenoodle]

Originally Posted by Xelebes

Hm, trying to decide which stop is closest to me: Davies or Avonmore.

If it's that close then I guess it matters more which way you're taking the train than the physical proximity.

[Daveography]

Originally Posted by Xelebes

Hm, trying to decide which stop is closest to me: Davies or Avonmore.

I didn't know you were in the SE, too. Cool. (Or maybe I did and just forgot)

Both Strathearn and Holyrood stops are close for me, but Strathearn is just slightly closer.

Looking forward to seeing more construction activity on this line.

[Xelebes]

Originally Posted by noodlenoodle

If it's that close then I guess it matters more which way you're taking the train than the physical proximity.

True. Or whichever bus that crawls along Argyll gets me to.

Originally Posted by Daveography

I didn't know you were in the SE, too. Cool. (Or maybe I did and just forgot)

I leave a clue under my username.

[Harrison]

Have approximate travel times along the line been released? I would like to see how it would compare going from MWTC to Downtown on the LRT v. current bus service (hopefully much quicker).

[EdmTrekker]

I don't know how accurate the app is - but I downloaded "Speed Box" off iTunes and opened it up on the LRT from Gradin after tunnel and before tunnel and Jubilee to Southgate. Speeds clocked in at 60km generally and 65 for a bit. No point looking at bus speeds as we don't really have dedicated lanes like Winnipeg is getting- bus rapid transit. They will be faster than our LRT let alone deployed more widely at what is purported to be much less cost.

[Landlocked]

Originally Posted by EdmTrekker

I don't know how accurate the app is - but I downloaded "Speed Box" off iTunes and opened it up on the LRT from Gradin after tunnel and before tunnel and Jubilee to Southgate. Speeds clocked in at 60km generally and 65 for a bit. No point looking at bus speeds as we don't really have dedicated lanes like Winnipeg is getting- bus rapid transit. They will be faster than our LRT let alone deployed more widely at what is purported to be much less cost.

'Purported to be much less cost': I hope that includes the cost of the dedicated lanes and upkeep.

[MalcolmTucker]

Ignoring operating costs are a good way to make your project seem cheaper. The Valley Line all in contract avoids that nicely.

[Landlocked]

Originally Posted by MalcolmTucker

Ignoring operating costs are a good way to make your project seem cheaper. The Valley Line all in contract avoids that nicely.

With that said, I'd like to see demerits for driving infractions, including distracted driving, go up to 8. Meaning break two rules of the road and get caught by the police and you'll be riding transit for a year. Ridership goes up, more chance to hit the break even point for Transit, less yahoos on the road. Win-win!

[EdmontonTraveller]

Originally Posted by Harrison

Have approximate travel times along the line been released? I would like to see how it would compare going from MWTC to Downtown on the LRT v. current bus service (hopefully much quicker).

Doubt it. Maximum time is 32 minutes, by contract. Maximum speeds on Pg. 13 of contract: http://www.edmonton.ca/transportation/Ro...tenance%20Performance%20Requirements.pdf

102 St. - 96 Street: 30km/h
Tunnel/Bridge: 80km/h
Connors Road: 55km/h (slower than current traffic)
95 Avenue: 40km/h
83 Street: 50km/h
Davis Elevated: 80km/h
75/66 Street: 55km/h (slower than current traffic)
28 Avenue: 50km/h

Also allows for 150 seconds of "Stop Time" (not station time, more like the wait north of Century Park) per trip. There are four intersections outside downtown where LRT has only "partial" priority and "stop time" can be expected. With 20 second station dwell, I could dream 24 minutes but I suspect it will be closer to 28-29 minutes.

The 63 - an express service w/ 6 stops instead of 11 - takes 30 minutes to 100 & 102A. The 62 is 28 minutes. The 8 (39 stops) is 38 minutes. All AM peak schedule times.

No one promised rapid transit on this one....

P.S. The cynics will love this caveat: maximum duration "Subject to the City maintaining the signal timings...."

[MacLac]

Caisson drills are working at the Davies station now

[Harrison]

Originally Posted by EdmontonTraveller

Doubt it. Maximum time is 32 minutes, by contract. Maximum speeds on Pg. 13 of contract: http://www.edmonton.ca/transportation/Ro...tenance%20Performance%20Requirements.pdf

102 St. - 96 Street: 30km/h
Tunnel/Bridge: 80km/h
Connors Road: 55km/h (slower than current traffic)
95 Avenue: 40km/h
83 Street: 50km/h
Davis Elevated: 80km/h
75/66 Street: 55km/h (slower than current traffic)
28 Avenue: 50km/h

Also allows for 150 seconds of "Stop Time" (not station time, more like the wait north of Century Park) per trip. There are four intersections outside downtown where LRT has only "partial" priority and "stop time" can be expected. With 20 second station dwell, I could dream 24 minutes but I suspect it will be closer to 28-29 minutes.

The 63 - an express service w/ 6 stops instead of 11 - takes 30 minutes to 100 & 102A. The 62 is 28 minutes. The 8 (39 stops) is 38 minutes. All AM peak schedule times.

No one promised rapid transit on this one....

P.S. The cynics will love this caveat: maximum duration "Subject to the City maintaining the signal timings...."

Well I guess a saving grace is that the VLRT won't be impeded by traffic congestion as much as conventional buses. But all other non-rush times, seems to be on par with what we currently have...

[mcc16]

Busses off the road. Larger capacity. No street level pollution. Perception that rail is safer, quicker, less "lower class". Not all about speed. Win win win. However, I agree that if money wasn't an issue it would be great to have all grade separated crossings in suburban areas. Here in Dublin, the LRT (LUAS) is on street level through city centre and has no warning signals or crossing arms and works quite well. Even with the streets FULL of people the train just blends with its surroundings with no fences or extra barriers.

Also just returned from my wedding in Copenhagen. God that city is amazing. It should be mandatory for everyone in Edmonton that has anything to do with planning or building bike lanes to take a trip to this city. The bike lanes are all extremely large and in many places completely separate from traffic. Arriving at Copenhagen central station and being greeted by a sea of bicycles including two story bike racks really shows just how successful this city has been at bike infrastructure. And it is amazing how little car traffic there is in a city almost the exact same population as Edmonton. Of course scandanvia is never going to be as big of a draw as the rest of Europe, but from a city planning perspective Copenhagen is worth a visit!

[MacLac]

Originally Posted by MacLac

Caisson drills are working at the Davies station now

I lied.....appear to be taking samples only. Btw, the old Union Tractor, Osman auction and old Alco buildings being torn down to make way? Appears so....

[Hallsy's Toupee]

Cloverdale Footbridge and connecting trails now closed.
http://transedlrt.ca/2016/07/14/cloverdale-footbridge-now-closed/

[EdmTrekker]

Originally Posted by MacLac

I lied.....appear to be taking samples only. Btw, the old Union Tractor, Osman auction and old Alco buildings being torn down to make way? Appears so....

You did not lie - you were seeing what you hoped and thought was happening. What is more interesting from your intel is that TransEd Partners is now taking soil samples. You would have thought geo would have been done before or early on in the P3 competition. Otherwise the Proponents had added risk in their bid prices.

[Coldrsx]

July 14, 2016
TransEd Valley Line LRT – Sir Winston Churchill Square Construction Update
• TransEd Partners is composed of Bechtel, EllisDon, Bombardier Rail, and Fengate Capital Management Ltd., together with the added expertise of Transportation Canada Inc., Arup Canada and IBI Group—this construction consortium represents world leading experts in design, engineering, construction, transportation solutions, project management and finance.

• Construction of stage one of the Valley Line LRT will connect Mill Woods to downtown Edmonton with about 13 km of light rail transit. This stage includes 11 stops, an elevated station incorporating a transit centre and Park & Ride, and a transfer point to the existing LRT at Churchill Square.

• The Valley Line is different from the type of LRT Edmonton now operates. The Valley Line features new, low-floor, urban-styled vehicles that will provide more pedestrian-friendly access at street level stops. And, in residential and commercial areas, embedded tracks will be integrated to the established design and traffic flow of the area.

• This model allows for greater potential cost savings, innovation and on-time delivery—giving Edmontonians the best value for their tax dollars.

• We are in very early stages of construction of the Valley Line. The work that has taken place and is currently underway is preparatory. All necessary in advance of construction commencing.

• The construction schedule is currently under review by the City of Edmonton and information will be shared with stakeholders when it becomes available.

Specifically speaking to Churchill Square and the impacts that are currently known:
• As it stands, there will be no construction impacts to festivals during the summer of 2016.

• TransEd does not control utilities but will endeavour to encourage the Utility companies to avoid key festival dates.
• At this point in regards to Utility work during summer 2016; there will be utility work happening in the areas of 102nd Avenue between 95th street and 96th street and possibly between 102nd avenue and Jasper Avenue during the summer months. This work will happen below grade thus not impacting the festivals taking place during this time. As will all aspects of construction, this is subject to change.

• It is unknown at this time what the impacts in 2016 & 2017 to 100th and 101st avenues will be.

• TransEd will continue to provide pertinent information to the Churchill Square Stakeholders as it becomes available and is looking forward to a continued relationship to ensure any impacts will be minimal.

[BretttheRiderFan]

Got a new job with a financial services company on Jasper and was informed I can get a discounted transit pass...score!

[Rocket252]

A little off topic but with Elk Island Park getting some money for upgrades is there anyone that provides bus service to the park and possibly the Ukrainian village during the summer peak months? Thanks

[EdmTrekker]

Originally Posted by Rocket252

A little off topic but with Elk Island Park getting some money for upgrades is there anyone that provides bus service to the park and possibly the Ukrainian village during the summer peak months? Thanks

Now there is an idea!!. You would need a small van tour operator for Elk Island to drive around it I would think unless you suggesting a bus stop smack at the main crossroads? That might work. But Ukrainian Village could be just a bus stop. It would need to leave from downtown to maximize potential use. From the Convention Centre would be ideal. Maybe Strathcona Transit??

There may be other area attractions that could also benefit from access to transportation...such as?

[Rocket252]

^ these facilities are hidden gems and something we need to promote in the Edmonton metro area as are other areas like the Devinian Gardens. What we are lacking is a regional transportation strategy that incorporates the surrounding communities. The city and local municipalities need to work as a team to sell our region in this fashion.