Energization of Overhead Wires on the Valley Line Southeast LRT

EDMONTON, AB – July 9, 2021 – Starting on or about Monday, July 12th, 2021, the overhead wires for the Valley Line Southeast LRT along 66 Street between Whitemud Drive and 41 Avenue, and along 75 Street between Roper Road and Whitemud Drive, will be permanently energized. Energization of this segment means that Light Rail Vehicle (LRV) testing will be occurring, intermittently, in this area.  Testing is already underway to the south (along 66 Street from 28 Avenue to 41 Avenue). 

As construction progresses, the overhead wires are gradually being energized in each area of the 13-kilometre alignment beginning in Mill Woods and ending in Downtown. 

For your safety, overhead wires should always be considered energized when strung from power pole to power pole.           

FOR YOUR SAFETY:

• Coming into contact with live overhead wires can lead to serious injury or death. Please be aware of your surroundings. Keep all high reaching devices such as ladders, drones, and remote-controlled planes away from the overhead wires.
• Use designated pedestrian walkways and only cross the tracks at designated crossings.
• Always follow the direction of construction personnel and flaggers.
• Always follow traffic and pedestrian signs and

Thank you for your understanding and patience as the project progresses.
For the most current, up-to-date information in your area, please visit http://transedlrt.ca/advisories/.

Please refer to the attached map for more details. For more information, visit our website transedlrt.ca or contact us via email at info@transedlrt.ca or by phone 780-224-0964.

TransEd reached a major milestone on Thursday, September 10 with the connection of the gap between the north and south banks of the Tawatinâ bridge over the North Saskatchewan River.
Over approximately three hours, crews poured concrete to close the remaining one-metre gap that fully connected the 13-kilometre Valley Line Southeast alignment from Mill Woods to Downtown Edmonton.

“As the lead designer and engineer of record, Arup has worked collaboratively with TransEd and American Bridge to come a step closer to realizing this multi-modal and cost-effective design that will be an asset to the local community. The bridge spans across the North Saskatchewan river in a beautiful natural valley in the heart of the City.” – Matt Carter, Arup Americas Bridge Skills Leader.

With the bridge deck connected, crews will now begin installing the two sets of tracks and the Overhead Catenary System (OCS) that will power the new, low-floor trains. Six OCS poles will be installed on the bridge.

Construction of the steel Shared Use Path (SUP) suspended underneath the bridge will also begin. This eight-metre wide path will run through the opening between the two sides of the concrete support tower and is designed to support an array of Edmontonians: pedestrians, cyclists, scooter riders, and wheelchair users.

Lighting features will be also built and installed up and down the tower.

Crews installed the seventh and final set of cable stays on the bridge in August.

EDMONTON – December 19, 2016 – TransEd, with its contractor American Bridge, began removal of the Cloverdale Footbridge today, with the first ‘lift’ of a section of the bridge.

The bridge will be removed in nine lifts and will take several days to complete and is dependent on weather. As each section is lifted, it will be placed in a designated area, to be disassembled and disposed of properly.

“This activity is key to the construction of the Valley Line LRT,” said TransEd Project Director Larry Melton. “We have spent the past months planning and preparing for this, which enables the start of construction on the new Tawatinâ Bridge.”

In preparation for both the Footbridge’s removal and the construction of Tawatinâ Bridge, two berms were constructed in the North Saskatchewan River. The berms hold the 300-ton cranes that will first remove the Footbridge, and then second, construct the new bridge.

“We know that some Edmontonians are sad to see the removal of the Cloverdale Footbridge, but we want to assure them that the new Tawatinâ Bridge will provide the same connectivity between downtown and the river valley, through the multi-use path that runs under the rail deck,” commented Mr. Melton.

As each section is lifted, it is placed in the construction area, on a tarped space to prevent soil contamination. Visco Demolition Contractors Ltd. are responsible for receiving the demolished sections and will process all non-painted steel. Alta Steel Mills will process all painted steel, and will then recycle all metal components. Both Visco Demolition and Alta Steel are Edmonton-based companies.

“Our commitment is that 90% of waste is diverted from landfills and recycled,” said Mr. Melton. “TransEd is committed to protecting the environment and reducing the impact of construction as much as possible.”

Work on the bridge and surrounding area in the River Valley will take place up to seven days/week, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday to Saturday, and 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Sundays.

TransEd reminds the public that this is challenging work, so it is important to stay a safe distance from the construction site.

“For your own safety, please obey all signs and the directions of construction personnel,” said Mr. Melton.

The Tawatinâ Bridge will be completed in 2019, and Valley Line LRT services begins in December, 2020.  For more information about the Valley Line LRT, please visit www.transedlrt.ca.

ABOUT TRANSED

TransEd Partners is composed of Bechtel, EllisDon, Bombardier, and Fengate Capital Management Ltd., together with the added expertise of Arup Canada, IBI Group, and Associated Engineering — each world leading experts in design, engineering, construction, transportation solutions, project management and finance.

In a public-private partnership (P3) with the City of Edmonton, TransEd Partners is responsible to design and build stage one of the Valley Line LRT, and operate and maintain the line for 30 years.

Are you wondering what some of the Valley Line LRT stops will look like? Click here to access our new Look Book!

TransEd is conducting investigative and preparatory work for the new Tawatinâ Bridge construction in the North Saskatchewan River. Equipment on a barge will undertake geotechnical testing to understand construction conditions. The duration of the work is approximately 9 – 10 days. River navigation is not impacted by this work.

Edmontonians take pride and place high value on the city’s urban forest. Trees add lush, green beauty and wildlife to the city’s landscape, particularly in the North Saskatchewan River Valley. Trees also provide environmental and economic benefits by reducing air and noise pollution, as well as energy bills.With this understanding TransEd Partners approaches construction in the North Saskatchewan River Valley with great care and regard for both the area and the protective measures put in place by the City of Edmonton.

TransEd is committed to removing as few trees as possible in building the Valley Line LRT. In fact, the designated construction area in the River Valley is smaller than what was initially approved by the City for the project. Both parties have assessed each tree affected and TransEd has compensated the City for each tree to be removed.

Removal will be done with great care to reduce impact on wildlife in the River Valley and its trees. Wildlife, bird and nest surveys will be conducted prior to any springtime cutting and trees will not be cut during the heart of bird nesting season so as to not disrupt breeding migratory birds.

An important part of this River Valley project is a full landscaping plan that will include new plantings. TransEd Partners is working to ensure the benefits and beauty of Edmonton’s urban forest continue into the future.