Faulty cables cause latest delay for Valley Line Southeast LRT project

In the latest delay to the $1.8-billion project, Valley Line Southeast LRT builder TransEd said Monday that signalling cables along the entire 13-kilometre route need to be replaced before the line can go into operation.

"We are working closely with the city and more information about a potential opening date for Valley Line Southeast will be provided as cable upgrades and independent certification nears completion later this summer," TransEd said in a news release Monday.

The low-floor LRT line will connect Mill Woods to downtown.

Mayor Amarjeet Sohi said he is beyond the point of frustration with the delay. 

"Edmontonians have been waiting to use this LRT for more than two years," Sohi said.

He said it's "no comfort" that TransEd said it will cover the cost of the cable replacement.

"This LRT project should have been in service in 2020 and here we are in 2023, and that's absolutely unacceptable," Sohi said.

Trains on the Valley Line had been in testing but to allow for the repairs to begin, movements were stopped as of Monday morning along the portion of the route north of Whitemud Drive.

For now, trains will continue running in the Mill Woods area south of Whitemud Drive.

TransEd expects repairs to take six to eight weeks, spokesperson Dallas Lindskoog said in an interview.

The cables are underground and easily accessible to work crews, he said.

"We investigated and determined that there was some oxidation occurring in some of the signalling cables," Lindskoog said.

"We made the decision to remove and upgrade those cables to a cable that's going to function much better."

TransEd will replace cables on the north portion first, which should take six to eight weeks. The cables south from Whitemud Drive to the terminus stop at Mill Woods Town Centre will be replaced after the line opens to passengers.