PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT SHARE YOUR VOICE SHAPE OUR CITY

CENTRE LRT STUDY: UPDATEConnecting Downtown, the University of Alberta, Strathcona, Bonnie Doon and East Edmonton

DECEMBER 2017

Study Area

Clareview

Belvedere

Coliseum

Stadium

MacEwan

Bay/Enterprise

Square

Central

102 Street Quarters

Muttart

Davies

Millbourne / Woodvale

Grey Nuns

Strathearn

Kingsway/Royal Alex

Century Park

Southgate

South Campus/ Fort Edmonton Park

McKerman / Belgravia

Grandin/Goverment Centre

Avonmore

Mill Woods

HealthSciences

University

Corona

Churchill

Holyrood

BonnieDoon

NAIT

Capital Line Metro Line Future LinesValley Line

STUDYING LRT: ADDING TO THE CITY’S LRT NETWORK In 2009, City Council adopted a long-term Light Rail Transit (LRT) Network Plan that defines the future size, scale and operation of Edmonton’s LRT system. It includes the expansion of the Capital Line to the north and south, expansion of the Metro Line to St. Albert city limits, and completion of the Valley Line Southeast and West.

The plan also identifies the need for an east/west route south of the river that, once in place, would complete the network creating seamless or one transfer connections via LRT to all sectors of the city.

The Centre LRT Study is investigating possible options for this future route that would specifically connect Downtown, the University of Alberta, Strathcona, Bonnie Doon and east Edmonton. The study began in June 2017 and involves two phases: route selection (2017) and concept design (2018).

What we know about the new LRT route:

z It will be a low-floor, urban-style system

z It will connect with the Valley Line LRT in both Bonnie Doon and Downtown

z It will cross the river

What the study will determine:

z Route location – the streets and avenues it will travel down

z Stop locations – where the stops make the most sense

z Track alignment – where the tracks fit in the roadway

z Connectivity with pedestrian and cycle lanes; business and community accesses

BUILDING LRT Expanding LRT is part of the City’s Transportation Master Plan’s vision to improve mobility and access to existing and new neighbourhoods in all parts of the city.

LRT is about more than transit; building out the LRT is one of the most transformative things we can do in this city. As Edmonton grows, so does its transportation needs. LRT is an investment in our future: supporting the development of a modern, globally competitive city with a transportation system that meets the needs of a diverse, dynamic and growing population.

A well-built LRT network moves as many people as an eight-lane road, opens-up affordable housing choices, and provides commuters with dependable routes into downtown and to other key destinations.

LRT is reliable, accessible and frequent.

Building a new LRT route is a significant infrastructure project that takes several years of planning, engineering and public engagement before construction can begin. Federal Public Transit Infrastructure Funding (PTIF) has permitted the City to begin the process of designing the new LRT route in preparation for the future. There is currently no timeline or funding for construction.

CENTRE LRT STUDY

CENTRE LRT STUDY AREA

2 December 2017

YOUR VOICESince June 2017, we have been talking with Edmontonians, organizations, businesses and other stakeholders to gather local knowledge and to better understand local issues, opportunities, concerns and perspectives on the future LRT route. Through public events, engagement pops-ups, one-on-one meetings, and surveys, we gathered the views of Edmontonians to help inform the route selection. To date, we have held three public open house events, received 774 survey responses, conducted numerous one-on-one meetings with local businesses, organizations, associations and area community leagues, and our street team held nine pop-up events.

z Consider a route that goes to key destinations - The public identified Whyte Avenue, the University of Alberta, Bonnie Doon, Downtown and The King’s University as destinations they prefer to go to most often in and near the study area.

z Consider Whyte Avenue as the east/west route segment – Whyte Avenue is mentioned most often as the preferred route segment. 76 Avenue / University Avenue is considered too far from key destinations and too residential for LRT.

z Consider the impacts to vehicle traffic – The public has voiced concern that the new LRT route will add to traffic congestion and delays, and they have a desire to understand the traffic impacts of the chosen route.

z Consider the residential impacts – There is concern for impacts to neighbourhoods, including: increased traffic, parking and shortcutting; blocked accesses; increased noise from LRT operations; expropriation and decreased property values.

z Consider crossing the river using existing infrastructure - The survey indicates a public preference to use existing infrastructure (High Level Bridge) to cross the river and to consider how the streetcar could be preserved.

A detailed summary of the survey comments and other engagement activities is being compiled and will be shared publicly.

WHAT IS LOW-FLOOR, URBAN-STYLE LRT?The new LRT route will be a low-floor, urban-style system, which has many differences from Edmonton’s current high-floor, suburban system.

Low-floor LRT:

z Predominantly operates in dedicated lanes

z Operates at posted speeds and uses traffic signals

z Has stops located at street-level, curb height

z Step-free boarding

z Usually doesn’t use crossing gates and bells

z Uses minimal barriers

Urban-style LRT:

z Has smaller scale stations, called stops, that are spaced closer together

z Provides better links to a greater number of destinations, with more direct transit, pedestrian and cyclist connections

z Maximizes openness of space to create a safe environment

z Reduces speeds in congested areas to support safe pedestrian-oriented communities

z Investment is made in landscaping, streetscaping, and architectural features to improve visual appeal

The Valley Line LRT Southeast (currently under construction) is also a low-floor, urban-style system.

Low-floor, urban-style LRT

WHAT WE HEARD SO FAR:Below are some of the key themes we heard most often:

December 2017 3

SHARE YOUR VOICE - NEXT STEPS Presentation of the route: Which LRT route will emerge as the best connection between Downtown, the University of Alberta, Strathcona, Bonnie Doon and east Edmonton?

After months of technical studies, stakeholder meetings and public engagement, an LRT route has begun to emerge within the Centre LRT Study area. At this point in the study, Administration is confident the preferred east/west connection of the route will be located on Whyte Avenue and not 76 Avenue. Additional technical analysis is required before the preferred river crossing and locations to connect to the Valley Line can be identified. In the new year, we will share details of the study and hear your thoughts on the preferred route. We will gather input to help determine stop locations and track alignment (where the tracks fit in the roadway, right/left/centre). We will also seek feedback on how the LRT can best ‘fit’ or integrate into your community, and link to cycle, pedestrian and other transit connections.

Watch for further Centre LRT Study information over the next few months as we keep you up-to-date on the emerging route.

If you wish to be contacted by email for future Centre LRT Study updates, please visit: www.edmonton.ca/centrelrtstudy and click on the Stay Informed link.

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENTSHARE YOUR VOICE SHAPE OUR CITY

For more information: www.edmonton.ca/centrelrtstudy centrelrtstudy@edmonton.ca 311

HOW LRT ROUTES ARE DETERMINEDChoosing the most appropriate LRT route is, for the most part, a technical exercise. Individual route segments are evaluated, guided by City policies. Public input helps inform and identify important destinations, as well as concerns and opportunities, in the study area to aid in development of the preferred route.

Multiple route segments are being evaluated in the Centre LRT Study area between 114 Street and 50 Street, and 76 Avenue and 104 Avenue.

City Policies & Guidelines

Public & Stakeholder Input

Technical Studies

Route Selection

CENTRE LRT STUDY TIMELINEOur study began in June 2017 and the preferred LRT route will be presented to City Council in early 2018. This will be followed by the development of a concept plan, including station locations and alignment (where the tracks fit within the route), which will be presented to City Council prior to the end of 2018.

4 December 2017