Completion of tunnel a major milestone
EDMONTON, Nov. 16, 2012 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada, the Government of Alberta and the City of Edmonton are marking the end of the 2012 construction season with a bang as tunnelling crews working on the North Light Rail Transit (LRT) to Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) project break through the wall at Churchill Station, connecting the North LRT with Edmonton's existing LRT network.
While North LRT construction is highly visible on Edmonton streets, the project's most significant milestone to date was achieved below ground. A very dedicated crew has been working around the clock since January 2012, digging twin tunnels between 105 Avenue and Churchill Station through which LRT will start running in 2014.
"The Government of Canada is proud to have invested in this important job-creating project to expand Edmonton's Light Rail Transit system," said the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services, Minister for Status of Women, and Member of Parliament for Edmonton-Spruce Grove. "We will continue to support local infrastructure priorities that promote growth, job creation and economic prosperity right here in Edmonton."
"I congratulate the City for making excellent progress on this project," said Alberta Transportation Minister Ric McIver. "The Alberta government was pleased to invest $497 million in GreenTRIP funding to help Edmontonians get to where they need to be. GreenTRIP is a great example of how the province partners with municipalities to develop effective and practical infrastructure solutions for Albertans."
"This is a great day for Edmonton," said Mayor Stephen Mandel. "As part of the City's Transportation Master Plan, The Way We Move, the new North LRT will play a key role in developing a cleaner, greener Edmonton and providing affordable, sustainable transportation for thousands of students, workers, and commuters. Today we are one big step closer to that goal."
In addition to the completion of the North LRT tunnel, this year's work included construction of all surface track for the North LRT and foundation work for the Grant MacEwan, Kingsway/Royal Alex and NAIT LRT stations. Development of the stations will continue over the winter months.
The $755-million project was jointly funded by the Government of Canada, the Government of Alberta and the City of Edmonton. The Government of Canada is contributing up to $100 million from the Building Canada Fund. The Province of Alberta is contributing $497 million in GreenTRIP funding and the City of Edmonton is contributing $158 million.
The City of Edmonton would especially like to thank motorists, pedestrians, businesses and residents for their patience during this busy construction season.
For additional information about the North LRT project, including highlight videos of the 2012 construction season, visit: www.edmonton.ca/nlrt.
About Canada's Economic Action Plan 2012:
Canada Economic Action Plan 2012 promotes new opportunities for growth, job creation and long-term prosperity. Strengthening infrastructure across the country is an important part of this plan. Thanks to the Government of Canada's leadership, and our strong economic and financial fundamentals, the Canadian economy has recovered from the global recession better than most other industrialized countries. Canada has been a leader among G-7 countries throughout the recovery with more than 824,000 net new jobs created since July 2009. Find out more about the opportunities in Economic Action Plan 2012 at www.budget.gc.ca/2012/home-accueil-eng.html.
About GreenTRIP:
Alberta's $2-billion GreenTRIP program provides one-time capital funding to support new and expanded public transit. It is a good example of how the province partners with municipalities to develop practical infrastructure solutions for Albertans, including transit. GreenTRIP is helping communities build truly interconnected transportation systems that make sense for residents, the environment and the future. This allows Albertans to travel in ways - and to places - they couldn't before. For additional information about GreenTRIP, visit www.transportation.alberta.ca
About Edmonton:
This is a city alive with energy and boundless opportunity - a growing economic powerhouse where business thrives and more than a million lives enjoy the freedom to explore, experiment, experience, excel and expect the most out of every day. A place like no other, Edmonton is filled with surprises great and small and a calendar packed with artistic, sporting, theatrical and cultural celebration.
For more information about Edmonton please visit www.edmonton.ca and www.edmontonstories.ca
SOURCE: Government of Canada
Graeme McElheran
Senior Communications Advisor,
Transportation
City of Edmonton
W: 780-944-6485
M: 780-218-3348
Martin Dupuis
Alberta Transportation
W: 780-427-1938
M: 780-916-9625
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
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