The province has converted an interest-free loan provided to Edmonton in 2014 into a $176-million grant for construction of the Valley Line LRT's southeast leg. The money is being sourced from Climate Leadership Plan revenues, funds collected from the carbon levy that are being reinvested in key projects to grow and diversify the Alberta economy.

Concept rendering for the Tawatinâ Bridge, image via Government of Alberta

The project proves a fitting recipient of carbon tax revenue. Shannon Phillips, Minister of Environment and Parks and the Minister Responsible for the Climate Change Office, says the Valley Line is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 4,500 metric tonnes each year, equivalent to taking almost 1,000 cars off the road.

Alberta is contributing one-third of the total $1.8-billion project cost for the southeast leg, which will run 13 kilometres between downtown and Mill Woods. The province had already committed $424 million toward the project as of March 2016, including $274 million for construction and an additional $150-million grant to match federal funding under the New Building Canada Fund.

Work on the replacement of the Cloverdale Footbridge, image by Forum contributor Daveography

The 27-kilometre line is being built in two phases. The southeast portion of the line, now under construction, is anticipating a 2020 completion. A consortium comprised of Bombardier, Bechtel, EllisDon and Fengate Capital Management — collectively known as TransEd — is managing the construction.

The second stage will extend the line to Lewis Farms in the west. The City is currently engaged in planning and design for this section, hoping to initiate procurement as early as 2018. It would take about a year to find a contractor for the second phase and another five years to complete the line.

Rock berms set up in the North Saskatchewan River, image by Forum contributor Daveography

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Related Companies:  EllisDon