Mill Woods man sues over Valley Line LRT

An Edmonton man desperate to stop his neighbourhood from becoming a construction zone is going to court over the Valley Line LRT.

Mill Woods resident Chris Christianson applied for an injunction Wednesday against the City of Edmonton, EPCOR, and ATCO Gas.

He is seeking a stop-work order that would be in place before next Monday.

"If they want to go to court, I'll go to court because I'm not scared," he said.

"I'm tired of these big guys pushing the little guys around because enough's enough. Hear us. Listen to us. We live here. This is our community, not yours."

Christianson's property, near 35th Avenue and 65th Street, borders the proposed site for new LRT tracks.

The plan means the gas line that runs behind his house must be moved to the front of his home. The work is scheduled to begin Oct. 24.

Christianson said he's worried that would leave properties like his stuck between two construction zones.

"We're looking forward to the LRT," he said. "We just needed more input into the planning stages of this thing, where it was going to affect us. That's all we're asking."

The application seeks a stop-work order on the Valley Line LRT until Mill Woods landowners on the east side of 66th Street and 65th Street can meet with the City of Edmonton, EPCOR, and ATCO.

Work to move 

Christianson said he won't give up until there's a "resolution that will work for everybody."

He proposes the LRT line should be built on the median of 66th Street, several metres from the proposed site. That way, the gas line could be left untouched and nearby residents would hear less noise from the trains.

"I believe in miracles and I believe things can change if the right people are involved," Christianson said.

"They don't want to fight with this badger because once I'm dug in, I'm dug in."

The Valley Line LRT is a $1.8-billion project. Once completed, the 13-kilometre track will connect Mill Woods to Edmonton's downtown.

Quinn Nicholson, a city spokesperson for LRT design and construction, said he understands the frustration of residents who live along the new line.

"The notice is shorter than we would have liked in terms of the work there," he said. "We make these decisions together as a city on these projects and then we have to live with the consequences of these decisions."

The city, EPCOR and ATCO have 20 days to respond.

@ZoeHTodd