OTTAWA, Dec. 8, 2012 /CNW/ - The Downtown West-Kerby Station will open for Transit service on Monday, December 10, 2012, which marks the completion of the 7 Avenue LRT Corridor Refurbishment Project.
Construction began in 2007 on 10 new stations to replace aging CTrain stations and sidewalks in the downtown area in order to improve customer service and accommodate four-car trains. In addition to constructing new stations, with sidewalks integrated directly from adjacent buildings onto each platform, corridor upgrades created a more pedestrian friendly environment with wider sidewalks, improved lighting, and enhanced streetscapes between stations.
The opening of the Downtown West-Kerby Station ties the downtown corridor into the new West LRT line, which also opens for service on December 10, 2012.
These improvements to Calgary's transit system would not have been possible without a strong partnership between the Government of Canada, the Province of Alberta and the City of Calgary, which all made significant contributions to the project.
The total cost of the 7 Avenue Corridor Refurbishment Project is estimated at $183.3 million. The Government of Canada is providing $79.8 million, the Government of Alberta has committed $89.9 million and the City of Calgary is contributing $13.6 million.
"The Government of Canada invested in this project to expand the Calgary West LRT line," said Rob Anders, Member of Parliament for Calgary West. "The new LRT stations will increase transportation across the City and help Calgarians reach their destinations."
"This funding is a tangible and lasting demonstration of the Alberta government's commitment to supporting municipalities, economic development, transportation safety, and quality of life for Calgarians, " said Alberta Transportation Minister Ric McIver. "We are pleased and proud to support Calgary's work to expand public transit options within the city through this project, and through all phases of the CTrain's development and expansion."
"The primary focus of this project was to replace aging LRT stations in the downtown corridor between 4 Street S.E. and 11 Street S.W., which are some of the most heavily used LRT stations in the Transit system," says Alderman John Mar, whose Ward 8 includes the downtown area.
There are over 23,000 LRT trips daily along the 7 Avenue free fare zone and approximately 185,000 trips in and out of Calgary's downtown daily.
More information
- For more information on the 7 Avenue project, visit www.calgary.ca/7avenue
- For more information on the West LRT, visit www.westlrt.ca
- For Transit information, visit www.calgarytransit.com
Onward/By 2036, peak period transit, walking and cycling, and carpool travel to downtown will increase by 50, 40 and 20 per cent respectively.
SOURCE: Government of Canada
Federal government media contact:
Geneviève Sicard
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
Ottawa
613-991-0700
Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055
Government of Alberta media contact:
Parker Hogan, Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transportation
780-919-4523 cell
[email protected]
City of Calgary media contact:
403-828-2954
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