Calgary Council Finalizes $1.5B LRT Route
Despite business owner concerns, the chosen route will run east-west at street level, impacting 10 Avenue S.W. and 1 Street S.W.
The Calgary city council is set to finalize the Green Line LRT alignment through the downtown area next week. The chosen route runs east-west at street level from the Event Centre in Victoria Park on 10 Avenue S.W. to a station between 1 and 2 Street S.W.
The original plans for the Green Line had it running through a tunnel under the downtown core, but were scrapped due to cost escalations and the province pulling its $1.5 billion share of funding. The province's preferred alignment would have seen tracks elevated above 10 Avenue through the Beltline and turning north into the core along 2 Street S.W., but was estimated to cost $1 billion over the project's current budget.
A city committee endorsed the chosen route earlier this month, after two years of discussion on the issue. The route was selected because it fit within the budget envelope and leaves the door open for the most options in the future, according to Willem Klumpenhouwer, an independent transit research consultant.
Business owners along the proposed alignment, such as Geoff Allan, owner of Bottlescrew Bills, have raised concerns about the impact of the LRT line on their operations. Allan's bar and brewery is located on the corner of 10 Avenue and 1 Street S.W., and he has been unable to get answers or a response from city officials to his questions.
## Why it matters The finalization of the Green Line LRT alignment is a crucial step in the development of Calgary's public transportation system. The chosen route will have a significant impact on the city's downtown core, with business owners and residents alike waiting to see how the LRT line will affect their daily lives. The city council's decision will also have implications for the city's budget and future development plans.
The concerns raised by business owners like Geoff Allan highlight the need for careful planning and consideration of the potential impacts of the LRT line. As the city council finalizes the alignment, they must also ensure that the needs and concerns of all stakeholders are taken into account.
## What happens next The city council will finalize the Green Line LRT alignment on Tuesday, marking a major milestone in the project's development. Following the finalization, the city will begin to move forward with the implementation of the chosen route, which will involve significant construction and infrastructure work. The completion of the Green Line LRT is expected to have a major impact on Calgary's public transportation system, and will provide residents with a new and efficient way to travel through the city.
