The phase 1 extension continues to be high floor LRT and is 4.5 km (2.8 mi) long and includes:[6] In January 2008, a city report was released that outlined the proposed expansions to the LRT system which included a southern extension that will see the line cross Anthony Henday Drive to Heritage Valley, with a possible future link to the Edmonton International Airport.

[12] On June 22, 2021, city council approved the amended plan that includes an elevated station and crossing at Ellerslie Road, and a stop in Twin Brooks.

[13] In July 2021, the extension was announced as being fully funded with CA$1 billion in commitments from the city, province, and federal government.

[16][17] Early construction works such as utility relocation, preparations for future tunnelling and reception site shafts for the underpass at 23 Avenue, began in November 2022.

In April 2024, the city selected Capital Line Design-Builders, a team consisting of Ledcor and AECOM, to design and build phase 1 of the extension.

[20] In June 2024, the city formally awarded the contract to Capital Line Design-Builders and approved an additional $240 million towards the project, bringing the total cost of the extension to $1.34 billion.

[25] In 2008, Edmonton City Council approved a plan to extend the Capital Line northeast by one station to Gorman Towne Centre.

[26] On April 30, 2009, Mayor Stephen Mandel announced a $210 million project to extend the LRT system to a new Gorman station.

[30] This ASP qualifies that this "is a potential alignment only, and will be updated to reflect the completed planning for the Northeast LRT when a final route is determined.

"[31] The Capital Line Northeast is part of the Transportation Master Plan's vision to expand LRT service to all sectors of the city by 2040.

The preliminary engineering project ends at a future station in the Gorman area, north of 153 Avenue and east of the CN tracks.

[33] Public engagements were held in June 2019 and January 2020 before the planning framework was approved by city council in March 2021.