The Government of Canada is investing almost $400 million for the Edmonton Capital Line South Extension – Phase 1 LRT Project from Century Park to Ellerslie Road. This project will allow the rapidly growing Edmonton southwest access to the Light Rail Transit (LRT).

The Edmonton Capital Line South Extension will add a 4.5 kilometres extension of double-track from Century Park to Ellerslie Road and will include two new permanent LRT stations at Twin Brooks and Ellerslie, an underpass at the 23 Avenue crossing and a new bridge across Anthony Henday Drive.

The project also includes an operations, maintenance and storage facility, the purchase of 24 electrically-powered light rail vehicles, as well as the expansion and integration with the Heritage Valley Park and Ride Facility.

The extension project will help improve the capacity of public transit infrastructure, the quality and safety of existing and future transit systems, and access to public transit systems. It also aims to create more than 9,500 jobs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 269,000 tonnes by 2050, and will see 11.9 million fewer vehicle kilometres travelled in its opening year of operation.

The Government of Canada is investing up to $394.24 million toward this project, subject to the necessary federal due diligence and approvals process. The Government of Alberta and the City of Edmonton will provide the remaining project funding.

“Alberta’s government recognizes this is a critically important project, not just for Edmontonians, but for all Albertans. Alberta’s ongoing commitment to Edmonton’s LRT network will help to support Edmonton transit users and Alberta’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic by creating local jobs. By supporting this project, the Government of Alberta is laying the groundwork for the future of transit in the city’s fastest growing area,” said Rajan Sawhney, Minister of Transportation of Alberta.

The project was approved by Edmonton City Council on June 1, 2020.