Edmonton light-rail expansion to receive New Building Canada funds

The Canadian government announced on Monday that it has set aside up to $150 million (in Canadian dollars) in the New Building Canada Fund-Provincial Territorial Infrastructure Component for an expansion of the light-rail system in Edmonton, Alberta.

The Valley Line Stage 1 expansion will provide light-rail transit (LRT) service from Mill Woods Town Centre to 102nd Street, including a transfer point with Edmonton's existing LRT system that serves the city's northeast, south and central areas. The line will integrate directly into existing communities, with an initial projected daily ridership of 31,500 passengers, increasing to 42,000 by 2044, Edmonton officials said in a press release.

The contribution would bring the total federal contribution to the project to $400 million. The project is the first funding announcement since the New Building Canada Fund was launched.

The province of Alberta and city of Edmonton also are partners on the Valley Line expansion project.