What a whirlwind the 2011 construction season is going to be for the North LRT to NAIT.
It’s not like the project has been invisible to date. There’s lots of construction activity happening, especially on and around the North LRT right-of-way on 105 Ave, 105 Street, 104 Street and Kingsway. EPCOR, ATCO and other companies have been relocating utilities on these and adjacent roadways.
Here’s a recent shot of the power utility relocation happening on Kingsway that has partially closed the road already.
Bigger Impacts About to Begin
With the dynamic duo of SNC Lavalin and Graham Construction recently hired as the North LRT construction management team (see Vancouver’s Canada Line and Calgary’s West LRT for recent samples of their work), engineers and technicians are hustling to get an aggressive 2011 construction schedule in place. In May, the hustle moves onto Edmonton roadways, big time.
Starting May 2, 2011 a four-block section of Kingsway will be closed between 102 Street and 106 Street until mid-October. All vehicle traffic will detour on 101 Street and 111 Ave. Pedestrian access will be maintained along the south side of the Kingsway closure.
Take a look at this graphic for details:
Kingsway Closure Necessary
The Kingsway closure is required for the North LRT project. Essentially, all the Kingsway traffic lanes in this location need to be moved several metres to the south, to create space between the roadway and the Royal Alex Hospital for the future Kingsway/Royal Alex LRT Station.
Take a look at this graphic, keeping in mind the goal is ultimately to provide easy access from Edmonton’s LRT network and the adjacent transit centre to health services:
Hands down, this is the most significant construction impact the North LRT project has to offer, for a two main reasons:
- On the average weekday Kingsway carries about 17,800 vehicles that will have to detour;
- The Royal Alex Hospital is right next to the Kingsway closure (emergency access will be maintained on 102 Street).
When you consider traffic flows and, more importantly, health services, no other aspect of North LRT construction has a more significant impact than the Kingsway closure. That’s why the North LRT team is applying such an aggressive construction model. The goal is to get in, get the work done, and get out in a single construction season.
Thinking Long Term
If successful, this strategy will minimize future closures of Kingsway during construction of the Kingsway/Royal Alex LRT Station over the next two years. Traffic will flow on Kingsway while the station is being built.
By 2014 the City hopes to achieve its North LRT vision. Take a peek at this video for a detailed idea of what that vision looks like.
Questions?
For the Kingsway closure and all construction activities related to the North LRT the City will be sending out bulletins, updates, newsletters, tweets and media releases.
Questions and comments are received at lrtprojects@edmonton.ca