The newest extension of Edmonton's LRT system is just days away from opening to the public.

Starting April 24th, tens of thousands of passengers are expected to hop on board and take advantage of the newly expanded line at the Southgate and Century Park LRT Stations.

Work on the south side extension has been underway for nearly six years. City transportation manager Bob Boutilier says the project came in under budget and on time. He says the expansion encourages more people to use public transit.

"One of the recent runs of the model show that with the opening of this particular LRT, that some of the road widening that we were gonna do on Gateway[ Blvd.] is not required," he said.

Officials say the new stations are meant to be more aesthetically pleasing as well as safer for riders with new improvements to surveillance cameras.

The trip from Century Park to downtown is about 20 minutes, making many riders looking forward to the quick commute.

"I'll get there faster so I get to sleep in!" said Michelle Wong, Grant MacEwan University student.

The overhead pedestrian walkways at the Southgate Station and Century Park opened to the public last Oct.

The pedways are monitored by security cameras 24-hours a day.

The cost of the entire south side expansion came in at $650 million.

With files from Bill Fortier