Calgary SWLRT Extension Phase II
Welcome to SWLRT Extension Phase II page. This page features a brief summary of the extension details and various photos relating to the extension.
About a year after the first phase of the Southwest LRT extension opened (October 2001), construction of the second phase began. The first phase was the first extension of the C-Train since Brentwood in the northwest (1990). The first phase consisted of two new stations: Canyon Meadows and Fish Creek Lacombe. The SWLRT Phase II is the third since Brentwood and also consists of two stations: Shawnessy and Somerset-Bridlewood. These two stations will become the 35th and 36th stations in the C-Train system and the 24th and 25th stations outside the downtown core. The tracks were extended 2.9km from Fish Creek Lacombe to the new end of the line, Somerset-Bridlewood.
Two very unique designs were chosen for the two new stations. Shawnessy featured staggered 4-car platforms and a unique roof design. The Park N' Ride (200 stalls) and a small bus loop are accessed from Shawville Blvd.. Somerset-Bridlewood features a wavy brown roof over a bi-directional 4-car platform. A 390 stall Park N'Ride lot already existed prior to station construction. A new 285 stall Park N' Ride lot was built and a 225 stall extension to the existing lot was also built. Somerset-Bridlewood does not have a bus loop. Instead it features 4 street side bus bays on the south end of the station and 1 bus stop on the north side.
Track construction began in late 2002 with station construction beginning sometime in later half of 2003. The opening event
was on June 26th, 2004 at Somerset-Bridlewoord Station. The 2 stations opened on June 28th, 2004. Unfortunately I wasn't able to get as many construction photos as I did for Dalhousie Station because the extension took place on the other side of Calgary from where I live. The below photos show both stations well into construction.
Click on the thumbnail to enlarge photo.
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Miscellaneous
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The opening event took place on the morning of June 26th, 2004 at the Somerset-Bridlewood Station. U2 C-Train consist (2062-2020-2068) shuttled passengers between Somerset-Bridlewood and Fish Creek Station via the other new station, Shawnessy. The event took place only at the Somerset-Bridlewood Station; however, Shawnessy Station was open for public viewing. The ribbon cutting was done at Somerset-Bridlewood, by having Mayor Dave Bronconnier drive a decorated train through a rope with bandanda on it. Why a rope with bandana's on it and not an actual ribbon. Because the theme of the event was a Cowboy/western theme, the cowboy rope was used instead. The trains to take on this task were SD-160's 2230 and 2231. 2230 was vinyl wrapped in a summer/cowboy theme. The event included a stampede breakfest, country music, petting zoo and the decorated train.
Click on the thumbnail to enlarge photo.
Opening Event- Somerset-Bridlewood Station
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Opening Event- Shawnessy Station
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First Day of Revenue Service - Shawnessy Station
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