The Valley Line West's newest Light Rail Vehicle is seen arriving at the Gerry Wright Operations and Maintenance Facility in southeast Edmonton. Courtesy: City of Edmonton
The first Light Rail Vehicle (LRV) for the Valley Line West LRT has arrived in Edmonton, marking a major milestone for the project.
Shipped in two sections from Hyundai Rotem Company’s facility in Changwon, South Korea, the vehicle underwent extensive testing before being loaded on July 1 onto a roll-on/roll-off ship designed to carry wheeled vehicles.
The ship crossed the Pacific Ocean and arrived at the Port of Tacoma, Washington, on July 20, the city said in a news release.
The LRV was then transported by truck to the Gerry Wright Operations and Maintenance Facility in southeast Edmonton.
“The arrival of the first LRV is more than just a milestone; it’s a sign of momentum for the Valley Line West. Watching this train roll into Edmonton is a proud moment for our team and for the city,” said Brian Latte, Director, Valley Line West, City of Edmonton.
“This LRV is a part of where we’re headed as a city. As Edmonton grows towards two million people, Valley Line West will change how we move, how we build, and how we connect with one another.”
Hyundai Rotem will supply 46 Valley Line West LRVs to the city of Edmonton.
Currently, there are 16 LRVs at various stages of manufacturing in South Korea and delivery to Edmonton will continue into 2027.
The 46 new vehicles will complement the current fleet of 26 LRVs operating on Valley Line Southeast. Both vehicles are designed to be fully compatible with the infrastructure of the entire 27-kilometre Valley Line.
In 2023, Edmontonians were invited to participate in user testing and interact with a full-scale mock-up of the vehicle.
Participants’ feedback directly shaped the final design, helping ensure these vehicles are accessible, comfortable and inclusive for all riders.
Upon arrival in Edmonton, the vehicle was offloaded and will undergo final assembly.
Testing and commissioning will occur on the Valley Line Southeast tracks at a later time, with measures in place to ensure this does not impact existing passenger service.
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