Trains being tested on West LRT line

Officials are getting ready to test the new western line of Calgary's light-rail transit system.

Two trains were put on the rails over the weekend to test the West LRT line at Shaw Millennium Park.

Eventually, four test trains will run along the line that runs from 7th Avenue to 69 Street S.W.

The west LRT is on track to open in early 2013.

New train spotting

The testing is for the contractor to work out any bugs in the system before the line officially opens.

This latest phase of the project is expected to take up to eight months to complete.  Crews will test everything, including the crossing arms along the line.

The testing phase will also give Calgarians their first opportunity to see the new elevated guideway in use.

It extends from Shaw Millennium Park to Crowchild Trail.

Most construction associated with the West LRT route should be wrapped up by the end of summer.

The project is expected to cost $1.4 billion.