LRT station smoke simulation

Westbrook LRT Station (Photo courtesy: City of Calgary)

Calgary transit crews are getting closer to completing the West LRT and will be testing the ventilation system at the Westbrook Station on Wednesday night.

Crews will ignite 18 smoke devices on the track area and use four large fans to push the smoke into the station.

The test will take place between 7:00 and 8:00 p.m. and will measure the effectiveness of the ventilation system to remove the smoke from underground stations and tunnels.

The city says the smoke will likely escape out of the station’s eight skylights and depending on weather conditions, could be visible for up to 30 minutes after the test is complete.

They are warning people with respiratory problems to stay clear of the area but say the smoke is harmless and virtually odourless.

The city says residents should not be concerned and that the simulation is standard procedure before the station opens to the public.

The city says that additional tests will take place later this summer.

The West LRT is scheduled to open in the spring of 2013.

For more information on the West LRT Project, visit The City of Calgary website.