South Transit Centre/Park and Ride

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a conceptual plan and what does this mean for the South Transit Centre/Park and Ride?

Why does the City want to build a South Transit Centre/Park and Ride?

What will the South Transit Centre/Park and Ride include and how much will it cost?

Where will the South Transit Centre/Park and Ride be located?

Is the City receiving any grant funding for the South Transit Centre/Park and Ride?

I understand that there are a number of steps that need to be taken before the City can move ahead with this project. What needs to be done?

What other initiatives are underway with the City of Edmonton?

Why is the South Transit Centre/Park and Ride a priority over the proposed North Transit Centre/Park and Ride?

Who will this new South Transit Centre/Park and Ride benefit? What is the projected growth?

When will construction begin on the project? When will it be operational?

Will there be public consultation for the South Transit Centre/Park and Ride?

What is a conceptual plan and what does this mean for the South Transit Centre/Park and Ride?
The City of St. Albert has developed a conceptual plan for the South Transit Centre/Park and Ride which will help the City meet both short- and long-term public transportation goals. A conceptual plan provides the City with information to make knowledgeable decisions on future projects. It provides:

�    Project history
�    Design criteria and constraints
�    Current and future facilities/alignments and goals
�    Alternatives
�    Environmental considerations
�    Costs

A conceptual plan study is needed in order to put forward a project framework and proposed budget. The budget for the South Transit Centre/Park and Ride is now before Council and will be voted on by December 19, 2011. If approved, the project will undergo three phases.

Phases of South Transit Centre/Park and Ride	Anticipated Timeline
Phase 1 - Detailed Engineering Design Phase	2012 - Tender will go out once we receive access to the land.
Phase 2 - Start construction	2013 - Construction season
Phase 3 - Finish construction and commissioning of the facility	2014 - St. Albert Transit prefers it open before September 2014; however, it may not open until November 2014.

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Why does the City want to build a South Transit Centre/Park and Ride?
Enhancing public transportation options for transit riders is critical in order to meet short- and long-term needs for residents.

The development of the South Transit Centre/Park and Ride by 2014 will meet short-term goals by replacing the existing Village Transit Station at Village Landing, which can no longer meet the parking demands for approximately 600 to 700 vehicles.

It is also integral to the long-term vision of bringing Light Rail Transit (LRT) to St. Albert, as the South Transit Centre/Park and Ride is integrated into the City of Edmonton�s plan for being a LRT terminus station when Edmonton extends the LRT from NAIT.

By developing the South Transit Centre/Park and Ride as a public transportation hub, it will facilitate quick and easy movement between St. Albert, Edmonton and the rest of the Capital Region. It will provide a solid foundation with room to grow over the next 30 years, positioning our City as an economically vibrant community.
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What will the South Transit Centre/Park and Ride include and how much will it cost?
The new South Transit Centre/Park and Ride will accommodate approximately 1,650 vehicles, as well as 16 buses through the development of 14 new bus bays. The site will include a proposed transit centre building, separate public and driver washroom facilities, bicycle storage facilities, disabled parking and an area called a �Kiss & Ride� which allows for the dropping off and picking up of commuters. The site will also be aligned with the City of Edmonton�s future expansion of the northwest leg of the LRT from NAIT, which will help make this area a future public transportation hub.

Several enhancements will be made to the roads in order to provide safe and easy access; to the utilities as well as to drainage. Money has also been budgeted for the land required in the Transportation Utility Corridor should the Province charge the City. These estimated costs have been captured in the 2012 Capital Budget request.

Proposed components of South Transit Centre/Park and Ride	Details to date	Cost
Transit Centre (includes 14 bus bays and a new building)	Accommodates 16 transit buses at one time Includes a related transportation activities building that will house driver and public washrooms, driver facilities and a waiting area (facility will also have two additional bus bays) Provides safe and easy access with minimum two access points Has video surveillance Includes development of the bus loop (earthworks, removals, concrete), lighting, landscaping and bus shelter	$7,500,000
Road Improvements - Campbell Road	Increased construction required at this location compared to Campbell Road at St. Albert Trail (build so that transit buses and car traffic are kept separate) Develop access to the Transit Centre off Campbell Road Includes earthworks, removal of guardrails, curbs and gutters; roadways, concrete, signage; lighting, landscaping; traffic signalization and traffic signal relocation	$3,675,000
Road Improvements � Campbell Road at St. Albert Trail	Includes earthworks and removals; roadways and concrete; lighting and traffic signal relocation	$790,000
Drainage	Low Impact Development Drainage System � a best management practice for stormwater runoff Provides a high level of environmental protection and involves the use of natural processes of absorption and filtering (bioswales) to manage stormwater as close to the source as possible Development of catchbasins, storm sewers, and manholes	$2,475,000
Parking	Development of approximately 1,650 paved stalls � includes earthworks and removals; roadways and concrete; signage; lighting and landscaping	$13,925,000
Kiss & Ride Parking - an area set aside for people that are picking up or dropping off commuters	Uses approximately 16 to 20 stalls for Kiss & Ride Disabled parking - approximately 16 stalls Development of two access points Bicycle storage facilities	$915,000
Utilities	New connections for sewer, water main and utility (gas, power, Shaw, telephone)	$720,000
Land	Money has been budgeted for the land required in the Transportation Utility Corridor should the Province charge the City for the surplus lands	$4,800,000
Total:		$34,800,000

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Where will the South Transit Centre/Park and Ride be located?
It will be located in an area currently designated as Transportation Utility Corridor lands, in the northeast quadrant of St. Albert Trail and Campbell Road/156 Street (kitty corner to City Ford). Click here for map.
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Is the City receiving any grant funding for the South Transit Centre/Park and Ride?
The City has applied for Green Trip Funding from Alberta Transportation. If the funding is approved, the City would be responsible for $11.6 million of the $34.8 million project. The $11.6 million will come from reserves, taxes and provincial grants. A decision has been made by Alberta Transportation to defer approval of this project until the City of St. Albert has access to the land. Negotiations with the Province are currently underway for the land.
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I understand that there are a number of steps that need to be taken before the City can move ahead with this project. What needs to be done?
The biggest initiative that needs to be completed for the project to get underway is to have the appropriate land for the South Transit Centre/Park and Ride declared surplus in the Transportation Utility Corridor and transferred to St. Albert for the purpose of a park and ride. The City of St. Albert is planning to meet with the Ministers of Alberta Infrastructure and Alberta Transportation. As the land resides within Edmonton city limits, St. Albert invited Edmonton to approach the Ministers with them.
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What other initiatives are underway with the City of Edmonton?
The City of St. Albert is financially supporting Edmonton�s northwest LRT Functional Alignment Study which will help identify the route between the NAIT LRT station in Edmonton and the possible LRT terminal station by St. Albert. This study will confirm the location, size and configuration of the land required to construct the South Transit Centre/Park and Ride. The City has provided a maximum of $122,750 to the study which will be completed in December 2012.

Collaboration is also underway with the City of Edmonton to move forward on revenue sharing and jurisdictional issues regarding passenger transfers and fare integration at the NAIT LRT Station. St. Albert will be examining a fare strategy with Edmonton to provide seamless connections between St. Albert�s South Transit Centre/Park and Ride and the NAIT LRT Station which will improve public transportation options for residents.
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Why is the South Transit Centre/Park and Ride a priority over the proposed North Transit Centre/Park and Ride?
The South Transit Centre/Park and Ride has been given priority because:

�   It will replace the existing Village Transit Station at Village Landing and provide ample parking space for existing and future transit customers.
�   It will be in the direction of flow for commuter trips into Edmonton and will facilitate quick and easy movement between St. Albert, Edmonton and the rest of the Capital Region.
�   Running buses to the proposed North Transit Centre from existing neighbourhoods would require additional time and hours, which means additional budget, as transit commuters would have to travel through undeveloped neighbourhoods to get to the proposed North Centre.
�   It could become the future Light Rail Transit (LRT) terminus station when Edmonton extends the LRT from NAIT.

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Who will this new South Transit Centre/Park and Ride benefit? What is the projected growth?
The new South Transit Centre/Park and Ride will benefit:

�   Current and potential park and ride commuters mainly from St. Albert but also from Sturgeon County, Morinville, and parts of northern Edmonton;
�   Current and potential transit riders as this new transit centre will resolve congestion and delay problems that are being experienced at Village Transit Station and will provide additional amenities;
�   The City of St. Albert as it will improve the current transit system, increase transit ridership and position StAT for a connection with Edmonton�s northwest LRT.

The current estimate is that 600 cars are associated with StAT�s Park and Ride during fall/winter weekdays. The proposed project will provide 1,600 stalls allowing for a 267% increase in demand over the short- and long-term.
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When will construction begin on the project? When will it be operational?
Plans are underway to have the South Transit Centre/Park and Ride operational in 2014 with construction beginning in 2013.
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Will there be public consultation for the South Transit Centre/Park and Ride?
Yes. Public consultation will be part of the detailed project and service design phase. Input from residents will be vital in order to help us solidify a number of important details which will help meet the needs of commuters. Public consultations are anticipated to take place in 2013.
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