6.

Valley Line West LRT - Impact on MacEwan

University

Recommendation

That the August 27, 2018, Integrated Infrastructure Services report CR_5846, be
received for information.

Previous Council/Committee Action

At the March 21, 2018, City Council meeting the following motion was passed:

That Administration report back to Council on negotiations with MacEwan

University on its concerns around impacts of the west LRT, including
north/south active transportation crossing at 110 Street and 104 Avenue.

Executive Summary
The report provides information on negotiations with MacEwan University regarding
land requirements for the Valley Line West. Administration has consulted with
MacEwan University and together considered the impacts the LRT system design will
have on MacEwan University lands such as to trees, property, and the pedestrian
realm and on its long term plan. LRT operation requirements and infrastructure
capacity needs such as roadways, sidewalks, and utilities were also considered.

To minimize direct impact to MacEwan University, taking into consideration overall

stakeholder feedback and technical considerations, Administration considered
alternate designs ranging from shifts in track alignment, roadway lane reduction, to the
removal of the MacEwan Arts/112 Street LRT Stop. A key concern of MacEwan is loss
of land along 104 Avenue.

As a way to mitigate overall impacts and seek a more balanced approach,

Administration recommends that the westbound left turn bay at 109 Street on 104
Avenue be removed to minimize roadway cross-section and reduce direct impact to
the existing north boulevard along 104 Avenue.

MacEwan University has reviewed this option and supports the design. Administration
will continue to work with MacEwan University to finalize design coordination and land
requirements along 104 Avenue.

ROUTING - Executive Committee / City Council | DELEGATION - A. Laughlin / G. Boston

August 27, 2018 – Integrated Infrastructure Services CR_5846
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 Valley Line West LRT - Impact on MacEwan University

Report

Background
The Valley Line is a 27 kilometre urban-style, low-floor LRT line that will operate
between Mill Woods in southeast Edmonton and Lewis Farms in west Edmonton. The
Valley Line was separated into two stages for project delivery: Valley Line Southeast
(between 102 Street downtown and Mill Woods Town Centre) and Valley Line West
(between 102 Street downtown and Lewis Farms Transit Centre).

Related Council approval and implementation history is as follows:

● 2009, the LRT Network Plan was approved;
● 2009, the Valley Line corridor was approved;
● 2011 and 2012, the concept plans for the Valley Line were approved;
● 2013, preliminary engineering for the Valley Line was completed; and
● 2018, updates to the Valley Line West Concept Plan were approved.

In September 2016, the City of Edmonton received funding, through the Government
of Canada’s Public Transit Infrastructure Fund, to update the Valley Line West
preliminary design, determine the most appropriate project delivery method, develop a
business case for construction funding, and ensure that the project is ready for
construction procurement in 2018. Recently, the provincial government committed $1.5
billion for LRT projects in Edmonton and the federal government committed $878
million for transit projects in Edmonton.

Introducing a large-scale infrastructure project such as LRT has impacts. Implementing

the current approved concept plan will require land from MacEwan University between
107 Street and 112 Street.

MacEwan University is a major educational institution in Edmonton, and a key City

partner. It has expressed concerns regarding the impacts of Valley Line West on its
open and green spaces, pedestrian safety and connectivity, as well as on the
MacEwan University Campus Master Plan. Administration intends to pursue land
requirements through negotiation with MacEwan University, and is committed to
meeting the needs of MacEwan University while balancing the needs of other
stakeholders and the overall LRT system (LRT operations, pedestrians, transit, cars,
cyclists, etc). MacEwan University and Administration are collaborating on a shared
solution to minimize land acquisition and impacts along the north side of 104 Avenue.

Design Considerations
As part of the Valley Line West LRT preliminary design update, Administration
engaged with MacEwan University through meetings, workshops and site visits.

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 Valley Line West LRT - Impact on MacEwan University

The following top considerations were identified by MacEwan University:

● Campus connectivity and pedestrian safety
● Retaining green space and trees along the north side of 104 Avenue between
107 Street and 112 Street
● Minimizing land impact and acquisition requirements

Based on the approved Valley Line West Concept Plan, 104 Avenue will have LRT
running down the centre of the roadway. The roadway will be reduced from the
existing six lanes to four lanes, with two lanes in each direction. This design will
require a strip of land from MacEwan University to accommodate LRT and roadway
infrastructure (trackway, roadway, sidewalk, boulevard and utilities).

Alternate designs were considered to:

● minimize direct impact to MacEwan University lands and other adjacent
stakeholders,
● ensure LRT system design and operational requirements are satisfied,
● Address infrastructure capacity needs (such as roadways, sidewalks and
utilities).

Based on these considerations, Administration suggests proceeding with a change to

the original plan as described below. An illustration of this design is available in
Attachment 1.

Remove westbound left turn movement at 104 Avenue and 109 Street
Removing the westbound left-turn lane opens up space to shift the alignment of
westbound through lanes southward, thereby reducing impact to the north boulevard
and its southern sidewalk. West of 110 Street, the boulevard width will be reduced but
may still require some of the existing trees to be removed or relocated. East of 110
Street, the boulevard width reduction will accommodate the existing trees in this area,
but construction impacts will need to be reviewed as the project progresses.

Removing the westbound left turn bay at 109 Street will open up right-of-way space for
traffic lanes to be shifted south. Westbound left turn movement would no longer be
permitted at 109 Street. With the introduction of LRT on 104 Avenue, Administration
projects that less than 50 vehicles per hour during both the AM and PM peak hour
would make the westbound left turn. Westbound vehicular traffic looking to head south
on 109 Street are accommodated via 106 Avenue, 103 Avenue or Jasper Avenue; the
downtown roadway network has sufficient roadway capacity to accommodate the
re-routed traffic. Westbound through and right-turn movements would not change from
the approved concept plan.

MacEwan University has reviewed this option and supports the proposed design.
Administration will continue to work with MacEwan University to finalize design

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 Valley Line West LRT - Impact on MacEwan University

coordination and land requirement along 104 Avenue.

Public Engagement
MacEwan University has been an active stakeholder on this project and was engaged
during the conceptual and preliminary design phases. In 2017, MacEwan University
was re-engaged as part of the Valley Line West preliminary design update work.
During 2017 to March 2018, Administration engaged MacEwan University through
email, by telephone, and in-person meetings and workshops (5 meetings and 1
workshop). MacEwan University was also present at the March 21 public hearing of
Valley Line West crossing assessments and concept plan amendments and addressed
its concerns regarding the impact to trees, property and pedestrian realm. Subsequent
to the council meeting on March 21, Administration continued to consult with MacEwan
University through emails and meetings to develop a mutually agreeable solution. A
meeting was held with MacEwan University to share the proposed design and support
for the design was received.

Design considerations and negotiation progress are presented via this report.
However, once design is confirmed, the final design will be presented to the public as
part of overall Valley Line West LRT project wrap-up.

Corporate Outcomes and Performance Management

Corporate Outcome(s):​ Edmontonians use public transit and active modes of transportation

Outcome Measure Result Target

Edmontonians use Transit ridership (rides per 91.6 (2017) 105.0 (2018)
public transit and active capita)
modes of transportation
Journey to work mode 26.1% (2016) 25.9% (2018)
(percent of survey
respondents who select
auto passenger, transit,
walk, cycle or other)

Corporate Outcome:​ Edmonton is attractive and compact

Outcome Measure Result Target

Edmonton is attractive Edmontonians’ 53% (2017) 55% (2018)

and compact assessment:
Well-designed, attractive
City (percent of survey
respondents who
agree/strongly agree)

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 Valley Line West LRT - Impact on MacEwan University

Corporate Outcome: ​The City of Edmonton has sustainable and accessible infrastructure
Outcome Measure Result Target

The City of Edmonton Edmontonians’ 68% (2017) 70% (2018)

has sustainable and assessment: Access to
accessible infrastructure infrastructure, amenities
and services that
improve quality of life
(percent of survey
respondents who
agree/strongly agree)

Attachment
1. 104 Avenue Design Preferred Option

Others Reviewing this Report

● R. Kits / S. Padbury, Acting Deputy City Managers, Financial and Corporate
Services
● M. Sturgeon, Acting Deputy City Manager, Communications and Engagement
● G. Cebryk, Deputy City Manager, City Operations
● L. McCarthy, Deputy City Manager, Urban Form and Corporate Strategic
Development

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