Edmonton’s ambitious Valley Line West Light Rail Transit (LRT) project reached a major milestone this month with the arrival of its first light rail vehicle (LRV). The delivery signals visible progress on the city’s largest transit expansion and underscores its commitment to enhancing mobility for a rapidly growing population.

The new vehicle, built by Hyundai Rotem at its manufacturing plant in Changwon, South Korea, travelled across the Pacific in two sections. It left port on July 1, arrived in Tacoma, Washington, on July 20, and was then hauled by road to Edmonton’s Gerry Wright Operations and Maintenance Facility.

City officials describe the delivery as a pivotal step. “Each new vehicle brings us closer to delivering a transit system that connects more communities and reduces travel times for Edmontonians,” said Brian Latte, Director of Valley Line West at the City of Edmonton.

Hyundai Rotem will supply 46 LRVs in total under its contract for the project. Sixteen vehicles are currently in production, with shipments scheduled in phases through 2027. Once in service, the new fleet will operate seamlessly alongside the 26 LRVs already running on the Valley Line Southeast, creating a consistent experience across the 27-kilometre corridor.

Public consultation in 2023 influenced several design refinements, particularly those aimed at improving accessibility and passenger comfort. The newly delivered vehicle will now undergo assembly and testing on the Valley Line Southeast tracks to ensure full compatibility with existing operations. Testing will take place without affecting daily service, maintaining reliability for current riders.

The arrival marks another piece of rolling stock and a tangible step toward Edmonton’s broader vision: a modern transit system built to handle future demand, strengthen urban connectivity, and shape a more sustainable city.