Thank you! Fun fact: some of the footages were initially filmed in February 2024, but I replaced them with the most recent footages possible because of the mass transformation and updated in terms of infrastructure that make them no longer relevant to include in the video!
This segment of the line is going to be amazing. While there are obvious downsides to being a streetcar instead of an actual LRT or Metro, the upside is that the line runs through the areas of the city with the most potential for transit orientated development. If you follow the alignment on google maps, you'll see that 80% of the areas that it runs through are grid-based streets, which definitely isn't an accident. Compare this to Ottawa's O-Train, Calgary's C-Train, or even the old Capital line in Edmonton. They all, for the most part, run alongside or through huge Stroads, Highways, and industrial areas with very lackluster potential for transit orientated development and walkability.
Right!! I heard that it runs thru the densest neighbourhoods in the city and the most important landmarks, so once it's completed it will be pretty powerful, for both visitors and local residents!
The whole project was designed to link existing and future TOD developments with actual service being secondary. In the short term it leads to longer rides than what would be expected with a more direct route but with future growth being concentrated onto these largely under-used and dying mall sites? It makes sense from a city-shaping perspective in the long run... I just wish the project was open 20 years so when I could have used it! Former MacEwan CFAC student here and the Jasper Place station will stop literally outside the old orange campus. That would have cut my commute from 90 minutes to like 45... The #1 Bus is a cruel mistress!
@@Digitalsurfer265Wouldn't it be the opposite as the Capital/Metro line is more grade separated than the low-floor Valley line, thus interfering less with car traffic?
There is a TON of utilities that need to be moved in order to build something like this, that’s why there is so much prep work prior to building the stops and lines
2:35 the scrambled crosswalk: it would only be a good idea if they are timed perfectly with when the train is stopping at the station, as this will reduce the time spent on stopping for traffic and more time spent at the station!
Maybe the Valley Line MacEwan stop should be named MacEwan West since it's located on the west end of the university campus, while the Metro Line station could be MacEwan East since it's located right next to the east end of campus
Great video as always! Edmonton really needs to close the existing underground downtown high floor LRT loop by infilling the Railtown and MacEwan University stations as well as like you mentioned, rename the existing Macewan Station to ICE District especially since to the north will be the second phase of the venture with almost a dozen high rise residential towers marketed as ICE District North. Ironically, if you research the story back long enough was in the late 70's going to be a downtown mega development called "Downtown North" which was later pitched in the 2000's as a skyscraper apartment district known as "Aurora: City of Light" and an LRT station of some sort was always planned for the site however when Rogers Place was built it really over-loaded what was meant to be a very small quiet station... If I could suggest anything? That would be to add a second Northern platform open on game days like the Stadium station was redesigned to add capacity for large events by closing the overcrowded tunnel and adding a larger, wider standing area at grade instead...
@@jorgewu6225that would be too much work with rerouting the tracks and reworking the intersection of 114 and University Ave. They actually had that plan a few years ago but it was scraped due to the sheer high cost and significant impacts on the speed of the train with all the rail crossings and track switches!
@@1206-octo Then hopefully the High Level Bridge Streetcar will be retrofitted into light rail to serve Strathcona when the bridge gets rebuilt for corrosion. The Metro Line can still branch off the Capital Line to serve Fort Edmonton and the Southwest eventually, rather than being just a branch to the Northwest.
They didn't elevate the line past WEM for the same reason that they didn't elevate it near Bonnie Doon - most of city council doesn't care about Edmontonians commuting by automobile.
8:38 construction vehicles have huge blindspots (operators may also have hearing protection, further lowering perception) and can kill or maim at any speed
from what I learned the "Fort Edmonton Park" part was added to attract people to visit the park without using the car and use the On-Demand service, which still requires some wait times when you arrive at South Campus
The progress in Edmonton is very impressive. I hope you continue to cover the new LRT
Thank you! Fun fact: some of the footages were initially filmed in February 2024, but I replaced them with the most recent footages possible because of the mass transformation and updated in terms of infrastructure that make them no longer relevant to include in the video!
Because the province surprisingly doesn't interfere with Redmonton but picking on the more UCP-friendly Calgary instead 😅?
This segment of the line is going to be amazing. While there are obvious downsides to being a streetcar instead of an actual LRT or Metro, the upside is that the line runs through the areas of the city with the most potential for transit orientated development. If you follow the alignment on google maps, you'll see that 80% of the areas that it runs through are grid-based streets, which definitely isn't an accident.
Compare this to Ottawa's O-Train, Calgary's C-Train, or even the old Capital line in Edmonton. They all, for the most part, run alongside or through huge Stroads, Highways, and industrial areas with very lackluster potential for transit orientated development and walkability.
Right!! I heard that it runs thru the densest neighbourhoods in the city and the most important landmarks, so once it's completed it will be pretty powerful, for both visitors and local residents!
The whole project was designed to link existing and future TOD developments with actual service being secondary. In the short term it leads to longer rides than what would be expected with a more direct route but with future growth being concentrated onto these largely under-used and dying mall sites? It makes sense from a city-shaping perspective in the long run... I just wish the project was open 20 years so when I could have used it! Former MacEwan CFAC student here and the Jasper Place station will stop literally outside the old orange campus. That would have cut my commute from 90 minutes to like 45... The #1 Bus is a cruel mistress!
Being a streetcar means it makes drivers a lot less angry and therefore can make political strides
@@Digitalsurfer265Wouldn't it be the opposite as the Capital/Metro line is more grade separated than the low-floor Valley line, thus interfering less with car traffic?
Wait what wdym streetcars
The big yellow machine sitting atop the viaduct is called a gantry crane. :)
There is a TON of utilities that need to be moved in order to build something like this, that’s why there is so much prep work prior to building the stops and lines
2:35 the scrambled crosswalk: it would only be a good idea if they are timed perfectly with when the train is stopping at the station, as this will reduce the time spent on stopping for traffic and more time spent at the station!
Maybe the Valley Line MacEwan stop should be named MacEwan West since it's located on the west end of the university campus, while the Metro Line station could be MacEwan East since it's located right next to the east end of campus
That's a brilliant idea too! And the "MacEwan East" can be "MacEwan East/Ice District" as it covers both areas!
Great video as always! Edmonton really needs to close the existing underground downtown high floor LRT loop by infilling the Railtown and MacEwan University stations as well as like you mentioned, rename the existing Macewan Station to ICE District especially since to the north will be the second phase of the venture with almost a dozen high rise residential towers marketed as ICE District North.
Ironically, if you research the story back long enough was in the late 70's going to be a downtown mega development called "Downtown North" which was later pitched in the 2000's as a skyscraper apartment district known as "Aurora: City of Light" and an LRT station of some sort was always planned for the site however when Rogers Place was built it really over-loaded what was meant to be a very small quiet station... If I could suggest anything? That would be to add a second Northern platform open on game days like the Stadium station was redesigned to add capacity for large events by closing the overcrowded tunnel and adding a larger, wider standing area at grade instead...
The idea of an additional platform would be awesome! And I will definitely look up the Downtown North development plan!
Or extend the Metro line towards Bonnie Doon through Strathcona?
@@jorgewu6225that would be too much work with rerouting the tracks and reworking the intersection of 114 and University Ave. They actually had that plan a few years ago but it was scraped due to the sheer high cost and significant impacts on the speed of the train with all the rail crossings and track switches!
@@1206-octo Then hopefully the High Level Bridge Streetcar will be retrofitted into light rail to serve Strathcona when the bridge gets rebuilt for corrosion. The Metro Line can still branch off the Capital Line to serve Fort Edmonton and the Southwest eventually, rather than being just a branch to the Northwest.
They didn't elevate the line past WEM for the same reason that they didn't elevate it near Bonnie Doon - most of city council doesn't care about Edmontonians commuting by automobile.
Thanks for covering Edmonton when other creators are ignoring our city.
I heard RMTransit just made a video about a makeover for Edmonton Transit, hope you will check it out!
I I personally can't wait for this extension to be completed, more transit alternatives to driving the better
8:38 construction vehicles have huge blindspots (operators may also have hearing protection, further lowering perception) and can kill or maim at any speed
Amor andar de trem ir passear na biblioteca do centro ❤
Thanks!
Thank you!!
all station names should be one word, not twin names.
btw south campus/ft edmt park is nowhere near ft edmt pk.
from what I learned the "Fort Edmonton Park" part was added to attract people to visit the park without using the car and use the On-Demand service, which still requires some wait times when you arrive at South Campus
I do often think its funny how not close to Fort Ed Park the Fort Ed Park station is when passing through that area.
The crane is called a gantry crane
Oooo I finally know what it is! thanks!
It cost more money to elevate a train line.
fair enough! also now I think about the surrounding building heights, it does not really fit in if it goes elevated!
You win the award for most obvious statement.
Effing Up a Major Traffic Feed To/From Downtown and the West End. Effin Bike Lanes are also a Major part of the Problem
this is powerful car brain energy
@@Dankyjrthethird
No it is someone who is Pissed about how much Longer it takes to get around the City because of the F*cked Up Roads
ETS is hot garbage.
bro must be a Flames' fan 🤔