Metro LRT line may open with reduced service

The city is looking at openingEdmonton's troubled Metro LRT line in a reduced capacity while problems around thecontentious signalling system are hammered out.

Going without the signalling system would reducethe frequency and speedof LRT service. Butthatis the only way toopen the Metro Line to public service as quickly and safely as possible, Transportation Services general managerDorianWandzuratold reporters Friday.

No timeline was given, but Wandzura said more information would be presented to citycouncilAug. 17.

Whilethere are no observable safety issues with the system, documents needed for the city to accept certificationare missing, he said.

The city requires certification from thesystem contractor, Thales Rail Signalling Solutions, before it can open the line using the signalling system.

BecauseThales failed to provide some "essential" documents,the cityhashired a consultant toaudit all documentation related to the line'ssignallingsystem, Wandzurasaid.

Rail Safety Consulting willreview Thales'documentation and identify themissing documents, he said.

"Rail safety systems are based on testing, certification (and)producing an audit trail that can be followed,"Wandzurasaid. "It's a bit like writing an algebra exam and simply writing your answer at the bottom. You need to show your work for full marks."

A spokeswoman for Thales said the decision to conduct an independent review came as a surprise.

Julie Rolland said the company has provided all necessary documents to the city. She said the city's consultant was at theThalesoffice in Toronto earlier this month.

"On July 24, 2015, Thales received in-person feedback from the City's consultant at the end of its visit," she said in a written statement. "At this time, no comment was made regarding missing essential documentation.No formal or written feedback regarding the city consultant's visit has been received by Thales so far."

However, a city spokesman refuted those claims. GraemeMcElheran said Thales was told a third party was being called in to conduct the review and that Thales has not provideddocuments the city asked for.

NAIT students said they aredisappointed with the news, but resigned toother arrangements.

"We have confirmed that the downtown to NAIT direct Ookspress(bus service)will be running in September for students to use," said students association president Justin Nand in a news release.

The $700-million project is now15 months behind schedule.

Earlier this month aleaked report listeda series of flaws in the construction of the line, including water pooling on the tracks, loose guard rails, and compromised electrical conduits used in thesignalling and communication systems.

The two-year-oldreport surprised city councillorswho characterized the project as a mess,a boondoggleand an embarrassment, though the project and city managers reassured themall the problems in the report have been rectified.

The only problem remaining with the project isthe signalling system, theysaid, something the contractor disputes.