Metro Line on track to open in May 2015
Final round of signal testing ended early on weekend
After more than a year of delays, the Metro LRT Line is back on track. City officials aren't celebrating yet, saying only they're "cautiously optimistic: the line will open by the May 2015 deadline.
“At this point we’re still on schedule.” said LRT construction manager Wayne Mandryk.
The line, which connects NAIT with the downtown Churchill Station, was originally slated to open in April 2014, but has been delayed six times because of problems integrating the line's signalling with the existing LRT system.
The contractor, Thales Rail Signalling Solutions, wrapped up safety tests early on Sunday evening, but there were issues with the track north of Kingsway, Mandryk said.
This week city officials will go over piles of documents detailing the safety of the line before taking over the system.
“Once we accept the system, once we take the handover, we’ll be planning for a revenue date,” he said referring to the date that the city will start charging commuters to ride the LRT line.
Mandryk said the city may ask Thales to make minor adjustments, which could mean another round of tests and potentially more delays.
The line is expected to open about four to six weeks after Thales hands the system over to the city.