North LRT | Churchill to NAIT | Under Construction

[The_Cat]

Maybe the rain delayed the barricades.

[Edmcowboy11]

^hmmmm, could be. Everyone knows how soggy those barricades get when it rains.

[The_Cat]

Section of 105 Avenue closed to make room for LRT construction
edmontonjournal.com

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/...455/story.html

[Edmcowboy11]

So I see it's closed, now let's get started with digging the tunnel and clearing the land for the new station.

[The_Cat]

I walked by the 105th Avenue LRT construction today and there's a hole about 15 feet deep at 102 Street. I think it's getting quite busy.

[Edmcowboy11]

I walked past the site and I'm very happy to see things moving along. Here are a couple pictures I took of the NLRT site from the tunnel entrance to 105 st.

[Vincent]

Thanks for the photos!

[McBoo]

Save these. Five, ten years ... what amazing then and now shots these will be.

[The_Cat]

These shots remind me of the work that took place around the U of A Hospital around 2003. A lot of action, and LRT starting to move south over the next seven years. I'm looking forward to the progress along the NAIT line.

[etownboarder]

Someone like John Day should buy the MacDonald lofts and wait... Then sink some money into them. They'll have great access to the new station and it's a beautiful historic building. It would make a real sexy upscale loft building like some on 104 Street when the Arena and surrounding developments get started.

[McBoo]

This

Well said, great vibe opportunity for 105 Ave.

[etownboarder]

It's too bad there are so few of these buildings left along the LRT corridor to allow the warehouse vibe to continue.

[Dialog]

But with architectural controls in place, it could be mandated for new development along the corridor. We did it with 104st.

[The_Cat]

Edmcowboy11, I think you'll have to take some more pictures. That hole is twice as deep.

[Alex.L]

that's a job I'd never be able to do. Look at how that piece of heavy equipment is just perched on what looks like a ledge with everything dug out underneath it.

I'd be terrified.

[psiebold1]

If there was concern of the excavator tipping over, they would use tow-lines. Excavators have a lot of weight centred on the tracks so it would take a really heavy wire to snag it down.

[The_Cat]

Also, this is clay soil, which is quite solid. I hope that this portal can be dug soon so other construction can start. Looks like they could make some real headway next week.

[Edmonton PRT]

If they would use two excavators and more trucks, things would go twice as quick.

But what do I know, I am just an armchair engineer and doing math like 1+1=2 is sooooo complex. Now I will get yelled at that "How many workers were there an hour before, or an hour later?" or "Your pictures mean notning PRT, you and everyone on here know nothing about this project so your statements are meaningless, please explain how you came to your conclusions to warrant your claim"

[azzey]

^ ........for double the cost

[Hilman]

Borderline ***** comment PRT, stick to the topic.

[Medwards]

Its the usual gang here again.

Prt says -- not enough workers or equipment. Get more equipment
Next prt will complain. Too many workers cause project to go over budget, get rid of some workers. Next he'll complain taking too long get some more workers...

Ya... Broken armchair record. How on earth do you know how many workers are required at each moment on each job site during each phase? And how do you know if that is within the budget or
Timeline? Projects like these involve a little more than 1+1=2

[Edmonton PRT]

Originally Posted by azzey

^ ........for double the cost

No, same cost, work done twice as fast. Your reasoning is totally illogical, where do you get this crazy math? If we follow your reasoning then we would save more money having just 1 worker on site and construction taking a life time. I mave been managing projects in manufacturing for 30 years and do critical path scheduling all the time. Construction scheduling is no different, you break down the tasks and look at the total amount of man hours. Doubling the workforce naturally halves the schedule unless there are fixed schedules of certain tasks.

[azzey]

^ No, completing projects faster takes more money. That is not really something you can argue about. Perhaps not exactly double, but the point is that it would cost more.

[Edmonton PRT]

Only if you are paying overtime and working weekends. Working on several separate projects at the same time is not efficient. Having a larger crew can actually save money. For example, if you have a foreman, two flag people and four workers (7 on site), you can double your staff to 14 and still manage with just one foreman, two flag people and 11 workers. 11 workers vs 4 is 2-3/4 times more workers for only double the manpower cost. This is the economies of scale.

There is a critical shortage of workers in Alberta and even a greater shortage of skilled and experience supervisors. Small crews spread out are often poorly supervised and often one supervisor is spread over three or four sites which means less skilled workers are often not supervised for periods of time leading to costly mistakes, apathetic workers, lagging schedules etc.

[McBoo]

Guys, I actually lost track of what thread this is.

I'm seeing the same arguments (mostly by the same people) in at least four threads now and I give up, is this about NLRT, Scona Road, Quesnell?

[azzey]

^ I think the general discussion in all three of those threads has pretty much become the same thing.

[Edmonton PRT]

Similar issues with all, want to throw in 23rd ave as well? I just would like to see the LRT completed earlier, anything wrong with that?

[soycd]

Originally Posted by Edmonton PRT

No, same cost, work done twice as fast.

Let's examine the photo once again...



It appears that there is an off-road rock truck being loaded by a track hoe. Given that it is a rock truck tells me that the material is being balanced on site (as opposed to being trucked off site) The reach of the hoe is adequate for the excavation that is being completed.

Additional equipment for this particular excavation is not required (based on this photo) and if more trucks were to be added the site would become congested and the likelyhood of an incident is increased. With a short haul the rock truck would have a quick cycle time and an experienced hoe operator could likely load it in a matter of just a couple of minutes.

Originally Posted by Edmonton PRT

I mave been managing projects in manufacturing for 30 years and do critical path scheduling all the time. Construction scheduling is no different, you break down the tasks and look at the total amount of man hours. Doubling the workforce naturally halves the schedule unless there are fixed schedules of certain tasks.

With all due respect, building widgets and building roads are slightly different. When you build your widgets you manufacture in the realm of constants. There are many different conditions that affect the different phases of construction at yet different times.

[kkozoriz]

Originally Posted by Edmonton PRT

No, same cost, work done twice as fast. Your reasoning is totally illogical, where do you get this crazy math? If we follow your reasoning then we would save more money having just 1 worker on site and construction taking a life time. I mave been managing projects in manufacturing for 30 years and do critical path scheduling all the time. Construction scheduling is no different, you break down the tasks and look at the total amount of man hours. Doubling the workforce naturally halves the schedule unless there are fixed schedules of certain tasks.

By your reasoning if we had enough men and equipment we could build the whole NLRT to St Albert in a weekend.

[Medwards]

^ when you have an infinite supply of resources and labour, anything is possible. How long did it take god to create the earth?

[Edmonton PRT]

Originally Posted by kkozoriz

By your reasoning if we had enough men and equipment we could build the whole NLRT to St Albert in a weekend.

No, concrete takes longer to cure than that.

[kkozoriz]

OK, one week then.

[Edmonton PRT]

You know that is not what I am talking about.

[The_Cat]

I would think that there are many other projects alongside the excavation of the portal, and finishing it two weeks early might not necessarily mean that the next task could start two weeks earlier, especially if it's tied in with other projects.

Still, it might be worth examining critical path projects, and seeing where time could be saved.

[DanC]

Originally Posted by Edmonton PRT

No, same cost, work done twice as fast. Your reasoning is totally illogical, where do you get this crazy math? If we follow your reasoning then we would save more money having just 1 worker on site and construction taking a life time. I mave been managing projects in manufacturing for 30 years and do critical path scheduling all the time. Construction scheduling is no different, you break down the tasks and look at the total amount of man hours. Doubling the workforce naturally halves the schedule unless there are fixed schedules of certain tasks.

You are wrong to all estimating and scheduling theory I have been exposed to. Productivity is non-linear, doubling your workforce or equipment does not double your productivity. After a certain point productivity for each individual item's productivity decreases. Trade overlap (between disciplines) and man power/equipment density are two of the biggest factors overall the development of unit rates, which will lead to establishing schedule durations.
As Soycd stated, congestion inherently leads to higher risk of incident and there are threshold levels set that you are not supposed to exceed for manpower densities where the statistical probibility of a fatality shows up.

For 30 years experience, I've shocked you would even say the above. It's so over simplistic it makes every contractor sound like the completely and utterly incompotent.

[DanC]

Originally Posted by Edmonton PRT

You know that is not what I am talking about.

I don't know what you are talking about, because your arguments aren't based on facts, they aren't even opinions because they have no real basis, it's just conjecture. It is really frustrating to read you continually oversimplify and randomly point blame and offer "solutions" that are really just going to create more problems.

[Edmonton PRT]

Originally Posted by soycd

With all due respect, building widgets and building roads are slightly different. When you build your widgets you manufacture in the realm of constants. There are many different conditions that affect the different phases of construction at yet different times.

With all due respect, don't patronize me, I do not have experience manufacturing widgets. Building 27,000 pound shafts for 5,000 Hp drives on a 6,000 ton dragline is hardly a widget. My past experience includes manufacturing for Syncrude, Suncore, Petro Canada, Hydril, BP, Rolls-Royce, and many other top companies including AECL, for whom I designed and managed the manufacturing of over a thousand sensors for the calandrias of Candu nuclear reactors. Manufacturing is a multi-disciplined industry that is as complex as construction or more so. Remember than manufacturing (which you are trying to degrade) builds the equipment that you need to make those roads.

Yes construction is different but it's not rocket science.

[DanC]

Originally Posted by Edmonton PRT

With all due respect, don't patronize me, I do not have experience manufacturing widgets. Building 27,000 pound shafts for 5,000 Hp drives on a 6,000 ton dragline is hardly a widget. My past experience includes manufacturing for Syncrude, Suncore, Petro Canada, Hydril, BP, Rolls-Royce, and many other top companies including AECL, for whom I designed and managed the manufacturing of over a thousand sensors for the calandrias of Candu nuclear reactors. Manufacturing is a multi-disciplined industry that is as complex as construction or more so. Remember than manufacturing (which you are trying to degrade) builds the equipment that you need to make those roads.

Yes construction is different but it's not rocket science.

It isn't rocket science, but it isn't a science you understand.
Manufacturing has far greater control and typically includes repition under very certain conditions, which inherently leads to the ability for continual inprovement in the achievement of the same result.
To me Six Sigma and LEAN came from manufacturing industries and not construction for these very reasons.
We as constructors do try to achieve this through commoditizing the work and training craft specifically beyond just their trade, but to the sub-commodities within that discipline. In alot of ways we strive to meet the assembly line model but it is difficult because it just in not the same, the variables and controls are different.
You seem to refuse to accept that and believe each industry is the same. Why?

[Edmonton PRT]

Originally Posted by DanC

I don't know what you are talking about, because your arguments aren't based on facts, they aren't even opinions because they have no real basis, it's just conjecture. It is really frustrating to read you continually oversimplify and randomly point blame and offer "solutions" that are really just going to create more problems.

I was responding to the comments by kkozoriz if you follow the thread. He was trying to extrapolate the comment I made that stated all this.

Originally Posted by Edmonton PRT

If they would use two excavators and more trucks, things would go twice as quick

kkozoriz was stating things I never said or intended by saying:

Originally Posted by kkozoriz

By your reasoning if we had enough men and equipment we could build the whole NLRT to St Albert in a weekend.

I qualified my response and stated

Originally Posted by Edmonton PRT

I just would like to see the LRT completed earlier, anything wrong with that?

Others took my suggestion to use two excavators instead of one to an illogical conclusion and made outlandish and inflammatory comments, pure hyperbole. I know that you cannot exceed the safety and critical path of a project and I never once said anything of the sort.

[DanC]

Originally Posted by Edmonton PRT

I was responding to the comments by kkozoriz if you follow the thread. He was trying to extrapolate the comment I made that stated all this.

kkozoriz was stating things I never said or intended by saying:

I qualified my response and stated

Others took my suggestion to use two excavators instead of one to an illogical conclusion and made outlandish and inflammatory comments, pure hyperbole. I know that you cannot exceed the safety and critical path of a project and I never once said anything of the sort.

Yea, but you post this in every thread. Accelerate everything, more men, more equipment...do want to make everything critical path with no float, do you believe there is infinite ressources in this City? That is why everyone is throwing hyperbole at you, lately it doesn't seem that off the mark. Apologies if you find that offensive.
Finally, yes, there could be lots wrong with saying you want the LRT done earlier if the budgets and established schedule reflect the current timelines...to change it will effect those costs and even how much money is required by the City to pay out the contractors each year based on the cash flow curves (maybe that is the driver?).
This is the plan, now the goal must be to keep to the plan and work the plan. I hope the City, Consultants and Contractors can achieve that.

[Edmonton PRT]

Well we do have a legacy of lethargic construction projects that I won't bother to mention and I hope that the NLRT does not become one.

If you read back I was not suggesting for anything grand, just one extra excavator and trucks before this thing blew up in my face because people prejudge me and go shooting off on tangents.

Maybe some people should chill out.

[Edmcowboy11]

From everything I've witnessed for the construction of the LRT in recent years is that they have not been wasting time or taking their time. So far the schedules that I recall that have been set for completion have been all met when it comes to the LRT. Things can always change but so far I think we shouldn't worry too much yet about how quickly LRT is being built.

[booster]

^SLRT was delayed a year. If I remember correctly it was due to one contractor who had a portion of the contractor that was not able to keep up. All the rest were on time. Too lazy to search through the SLRT thread to find it.

[kkozoriz]

Originally Posted by Edmonton PRT

Well we do have a legacy of lethargic construction projects that I won't bother to mention and I hope that the NLRT does not become one.

If you read back I was not suggesting for anything grand, just one extra excavator and trucks before this thing blew up in my face because people prejudge me and go shooting off on tangents.

Maybe some people should chill out.

I'm quite chilled. You seem to be the one who's getting his back up all the time.

[Edmcowboy11]

Originally Posted by booster

^SLRT was delayed a year. If I remember correctly it was due to one contractor who had a portion of the contractor that was not able to keep up. All the rest were on time. Too lazy to search through the SLRT thread to find it.

I stand corrected, I do recall some issues, although the overall project still got built on time it just meant that it put more pressure on the other crews.

[Medwards]

boosters right - The first phase Health Sciences to Bel/mac was late by almost a year, because the contractor who was doing the work clearly was over-leveraged, and under experienced.

[DanC]

Originally Posted by Edmcowboy11

I stand corrected, I do recall some issues, although the overall project still got built on time it just meant that it put more pressure on the other crews.

The opening to Belgravia Station was delayed because of the contractor responsible for the track and station between Belgravia grade seperation and Health Sciences. However, the full line to Centruy Park opened as per schedule.

[cnr67]

Originally Posted by Medwards

^ when you have an infinite supply of resources and labour, anything is possible. How long did it take god to create the earth?

6 days....

[sundance]

6 days and 30 minutes, he spent 1/2 hour more in Newfoundland.

Sorry Cowboy but yes the SLRT's opening was delayed a year because the same contractor responsible for the delayed reconstruction of Capilano Bridge had more problems with SLRT.

A brief summary is here (Capilano Bridge);
http://webdocs.edmonton.ca/occtopusd...2004TS7309.doc

To view Aecon's mostly glowing summary of their SLRT work see here (they do have some good photos);
http://www.aecon.com/files/PDF/32124..._BTTM_53.3.pdf

[DanC]

Originally Posted by sundance

6 days and 30 minutes, he spent 1/2 hour more in Newfoundland.

Sorry Cowboy but yes the SLRT's opening was delayed a year because the same contractor responsible for the delayed reconstruction of Capilano Bridge had more problems with SLRT.

A brief summary is here (Capilano Bridge);
http://webdocs.edmonton.ca/occtopusd...2004TS7309.doc

To view Aecon's mostly glowing summary of their SLRT work see here (they do have some good photos);
http://www.aecon.com/files/PDF/32124..._BTTM_53.3.pdf

I don't think that is right. I believe, the extension to South Campus was delayed because of the Contractor who was responsible for the work north of Belgravia grade seperation to Health Sciences station. I didn't hear about any major issues with performance for work between South Campus and Century Park of which Aecon's work was part of.

[sundance]

I thought they were only responsible for Health Sciences to South Campus, not any of the other portions. Hmm I guess I'll need to read up.

Sort of like if their PR department designed the Titanic ... yes we lost the ship but we were able to redesign and streamline evacuation procedures to lessen future casualties.

[DanC]

Originally Posted by sundance

I thought they were only responsible for Health Sciences to South Campus, not any of the other portions. Hmm I guess I'll need to read up.

Sort of like if their PR department designed the Titanic ... yes we lost the ship but we were able to redesign and streamline evacuation procedures to lessen future casualties.

There were multiple Contractor's who worked on the SLRT from Health Sciences to South Campus, these are the major contracts:
Track Extension from Health Sciences to Belgravia Grade Seperation: Pentagon Structures
Belgravia McKernan Stations: Pentagon Structures
Belgravia Grade Seperation: Graham
Belgravia to South Campus track extension: PCL
South Campus Station: PCL
Busway Bridge to Fox Drive: Alberco

[The_Cat]

Wow, that hole at 105 Avenue is about twice as big as last week, and has almost reached 102 Street.

[yeg_engineer]

Hey Everyone,

Just wondering if anyone knows the address for the project office for the North LRT to Nait project, I believe the company name is Northlink Partnership (SNC Lavalin - Graham Joint Venture).

Thanks!

[Medwards]

http://www.graham.ca/About-Graham/News/EdmontonLRT.aspx

[yeg_engineer]

Originally Posted by Medwards

http://www.graham.ca/About-Graham/News/EdmontonLRT.aspx

sorry, maybe I should have clarified, I mean the actual physical address of the project office

[JamesL]

^That link includes a phone number. Have you tried giving them a call?

[Edmcowboy11]

A couple pictures from a few days ago. I understand the need for the trench of course, the part I don't understand is why not continue digging further west slowly coming to grade.

[envaneo]

Interesting. I used to work in the building East of this shot a few times in the 1980's

[The_Cat]

I wonder if they'll be building a retaining wall before digging further.

[Edmcowboy11]

I'm actually quite curious what else is being dug this fall. I noticed this morning from 105st that there was another backhoe digging in the area of the trench. When I have a better opportunity I will have a closer look.

[Edmcowboy11]

Updated pictures from Sept 29, 2011

[cnr67]

I wonder what sort of surprises the crews have unearthed since this was parallel to the old rail yards. 99 st still had the streetcar tracks until Conner's was rehabbed.

[The_Cat]

The arena construction should have a lot of surprises, should it go ahead.

[maclac]

Originally Posted by The_Cat

The arena construction should have a lot of surprises, should it go ahead.

How do I make this perfectly clear - the areana IS going ahead!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The last 100 million is political posturing. PCL IS building the thing - most contracts are signed already!

[ridgeman]

Originally Posted by maclac

How do I make this perfectly clear - the areana IS going ahead!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The last 100 million is political posturing. PCL IS building the thing - most contracts are signed already!

A friend in the construction industry told me the same this weekend. It was down to Ledcor and PCL in the bidding - but that PCL was going to get the contract cz Ledcor is already over committed with the RAM and old Epcor reno..............

And for all of those Enoch fear mongers out there - get real. Enoch can hardly pay their bills on the casino/hotel (junk bond)./ Where the hell are they going to come up with any money for an arena??????

[Edmcowboy11]

I finally had a few minutes to see what has actually been going on at Kingsway in front of the Royal Alex and Polish Hall. I'm very happy to see that things are actually moving forward quite well in this area.


This was my biggest surprise today. I didn't realise that they were in the process of pouring the concrete and have already layed track for the section that is actually crossing Kingsway. Also I really like seeing that they have workers out on a sunday trying to get as much work done possible. If I'm not mistaken I believe they want to re open Kingsway in front of the Royal Alex before the snow flies.

[The_Cat]

Wow, I wonder if that's going to be the same setup on 105 Street next year. Close down 105 Street from 105 to 107 Avenue to do the caternary and tracks.

[Vincent]

wow. I wasn't expecting to see this much progress so quickly. I know it's only one small piece, but still. It's good to see.

[IanO]

Great progress... looking forward to yet another link of the system ready to go.

[DanC]

I see a piece of equipment sitting idle and why is there only X guys doing rebar and not Y?
This is a botched project.

[BalancedOP]

They are prepping to pour concrete behind Kingsway mall as well.

My only concern with the Kingsway 11th crossing is that this should have gone under the road.

And I have to say the New McD's looks interesting, Almost like a Moxies or Earls. I wonder if that is part of the 1B make over plan across Canada.

[McBoo]

Kudos to whomever is staging this - smart move putting the tracks in at Kingsway while the road is closed for re-alignment.

*sigh* 105 street closures are gonna ruin my shortcut going North - but all in a good cause, I know.

[Hilman]

Originally Posted by DanC

I see a piece of equipment sitting idle and why is there only X guys doing rebar and not Y?
This is a botched project.

Awesome

[bpeters]

Originally Posted by DanC

I see a piece of equipment sitting idle and why is there only X guys doing rebar and not Y?
This is a botched project.

Thanx Dan, I laughed out loud at this.

[Medwards]

+3 to DanC

[soycd]

Originally Posted by DanC

I see a piece of equipment sitting idle and why is there only X guys doing rebar and not Y?
This is a botched project.

Too funny!

[Titanium48]

Originally Posted by BalancedOP

My only concern with the Kingsway 11th crossing is that this should have gone under the road.

Agreed. It could have been an underground station connecting Kingsway mall and the hospital.

[Edmcowboy11]

^Naaa, Kingsway mall obviously didn't want anything to do with the LRT so I don't mind that they not only don't get a station at their doorstep but they also essentially lose the bus station.

[langis]

I occasionally park at Kingsway, walk inside like I'm a shopper (and save the receipt on any breakfast I buy), and take the bus to work.

Do you think they're going to put up signs like Southgate has?

[Sonic Death Monkey]

CTV News was just showing a NIMBY protest on 107 Ave.

[langis]

Originally Posted by Sonic Death Monkey

CTV News was just showing a NIMBY protest on 107 Ave.

I wish I saw this sooner.

[Edmcowboy11]

Oh wow, I just saw the CTV article and boy oh boy am I glad I didn't know about the protest. These type of NIMBY's is what really pisses me off. All the time I keep hearing people say "Put it underground!" and yet these would be the same people that would complain the most if taxes went up. I think the real stupid part of this protest is the fact that 105st has always had car traffic going past 107 ave into the community going to the Armory, Victoria School and the Polish Hall as this would be one of the most direct routes. Now that LRT is moving in it's actually going to become a whole lot quieter in the area because the road to those locations I mentioned is going to be gone. Actually I wouldn't be surprised if most northbound traffic on 105st. would end up re-routing at 104 ave instead of going to 107 ave once the LRT line is in.

[The_Cat]

The neighbourhoods around 107 Avenue are stupid, plain and simple. They had their chance to participate.

I hope, with the LRT, that these neighbourhoods are gentrified.

[East McCauley]

^I don't speak for Central McDougall but I know they did participate. As a result of their interventions, the City moved the line to the centre median of 105 Street, rather than demolishing a row of residences and businesses on the west side of the street.

One of the reasons the community league keeps pushing the underground option is that they don't see much benefit as none of the stations really serves the neighbourhood. I generally support grade separated LRT but in this instance it's both too late and perhaps unwarranted with the narrowing of 105 Street north of 105 Ave and the complete closure of 105 Street north of 107 Ave.

[Medwards]

^ another thing the community leagues in the area helped with was pushing for the preservation of mature trees along 105 st... they pushed for the trees to be saved... and the city will now put up a canopy below the trees but over the catenary

see here: http://www.transformingedmonton.ca/i...movals-for-lrt

Minimizing Tree Removals for LRT
by GRAEME MCELHERAN on 03/15/2011
Some residents of Central McDougall and other Edmonton neighbourhoods are understandably upset by the removal of several mature elm trees from the future North LRT to NAIT right-of-way around 105 Street and 108 Avenue.

Removing trees for any reason is an unfortunate necessity that no one takes lightly. The City has a mandate to remove as few trees as possible, but when it comes to building major infrastructure like the North LRT this type of impact is inevitable. However, there are best practices to mitigate the loss of trees and ensure the required removals are conducted in a sustainable manner.

First and foremost is the landscaping plan for the North LRT. This project will add far more trees and foliage to Edmonton streets than it takes away, and enhance the health and growing conditions of existing trees. Check out the North LRT Project History web page for a look at the project’s landscaping plan documents, like this one for 108 Ave and 104 Street.



Public involvement during the concept planning phase (see document at the bottom of the North LRT Project History) identified the elm trees north of 107 Ave on 105 Street as a highly valued community asset. The City was able to minimize the number of trees that absolutely must be removed, but obviously trees that would be standing in the middle of the North LRT tracks have to go. Small and medium-sized trees are being relocated; trees that are too large to relocate must be removed.

Keeping the majority of the mature elm trees in place is not a simple matter. Trees pose risks to LRT, from branches falling or growing into overhead power cables, or fallen twigs and leaves clogging the tracks and compromising a train’s braking ability. That’s why the North LRT team devised a canopy structure that will protect the LRT catenary lines and trackway from these risks. The LRT will travel below the canopy, allowing the City to keep more than 25 of the mature elm trees on 105 Street.



Practicing sustainability also means finding ways to convert a loss into a gain. Some of the elm trees must be removed, but a strategy is in place to salvage and recycle wood from the removed trees.

Logs and branches will be donated to an Edmonton school to build a “naturescape” project at a local schoolyard. As students, teachers and parents build park benches and artworks (possibly a tree fort) this summer, the kids will learn about where the wood comes from, and how recycling trees preserves Edmonton’s heritage. Wood unsuitable for the project will be chipped for use in tree wells throughout the City, or composted.

As for Central McDougall, the North LRT is quite literally transforming this area of Edmonton. In the short term, parts of this neighbourhood will look like a construction zone, and to be frank the impacts have only just begun. But within three years the communities surrounding the North LRT are going to have more green spaces, a landscaped multi-use trail and state-of-the-art LRT.

Taking a longer view, the North LRT will take cars off the road, reduce Edmonton’s environmental footprint, and improve the overall health of the city, especially once the line is extended to St. Albert. By removing a few trees for major transportation infrastructure projects, Edmontonians are improving the city for everyone for generations to come.

For more information please visit www.edmonton.ca/nlrt, contact the LRT Message Centre at 780-496-4874 or email lrtprojects@edmonton.ca

[highlander]

Thanks for that article. It's unfortunate that 107ave couldn't have a station, it's the right kind of street and has a well used bus that could connect, but it couldn't have a station right at MacEwan then, it's just too close.

[highlander]

The picture has me worried. about one thing, though. It looks like there's no pedestrian crossing of the tracks on the north side of 107ave. if that's the ase, it's a bad decision for a highly pedestrian street.

[kkozoriz]

There is a pedestrian crossing. You can see the short crossing arm blocking the sidewalk.

[highlander]

Yep, it's there. no ramp, but it's just an image from the video. I took a look at the video on the website that it's from. I was also happy to see 105st reduced to onle two lanes from 105 to 107 avenues. as it is it's way too wide for the traffic it gets

[The_Cat]

For residents around 107 Avenue, they are two blocks away from MacEwan station. I'm sure this area will gradually improve when the LRT is completed, and this area will likely be the next 118 Avenue success story.

[Edmcowboy11]

As nice as it would be to have a station somewhere in between MacEwan and Kingsway station there just isn't enough room.

On a side note, Global morning news was announcing that Kingsway will be reopened in a couple days time. I know they were coming close but that's still a bit surprising considering that when I took the pictures in posting #1967 they still had lots of concrete to pour and no asphalt had yet been laid. That was only about a week ago. Have they progress that much further in a weeks time?

[Edmcowboy11]

http://www.edmonton.ca/transportatio...all2011_v4.pdf

This must have just been put online very recently.

[Vincent]

That canopy beneath the trees looks really cool. Too bad the residents of 105 don't have a station just outside their door. They can just watch the train pass by.

[Titanium48]

^Those people have stations 3 blocks in either direction. Putting one in the middle would just be a pointless delay.

[Vincent]

Oh, I know I'm saying it would make sense to put one there. I'm just saying it would be cool to have an LRT station right outside your door, especially if your roadway is removed.

[Edmcowboy11]

Hey can anyone tell me why they dug the trench where the LRT tunnel is going to just fill it back up again? I walked by there today and the deepest part of the trench was almost filled right back up to the top at street level.

[The_Cat]

Make-work project?

[Dialog]

To foster armchair project manager outrage?

[barhonda]

I want to know why as well...