‘I don’t think it’s achievable’: Reaction to Calgary’s Green Line decision rolls in

The decision to realign Calgary’s Green Line LRT didn’t come without a fight.

Following a lengthy meeting Tuesday, councillors voted 10-5 in support of the changes, which include higher costs and amendments to the route.

The city said Wednesday it is investing another $705 million in the project, while simultaneously cutting down the projected budget.

“We reduced the projected financing costs from $640 million to $451 million, bringing the total capital budget for the Green Line to $6.248 billion,” explained Calgary Chief Financial Officer Carla Male.

One of the approved changes includes building the core of the project from Eau Claire in downtown Calgary to Lynwood/Millican in the southeast. The line would connect with Calgary Transit’s Red and Blue lines in downtown Calgary and would include a new maintenance and storage facility at Highfield.

Previous plans had the first phase of the project going all the way south to Shepherd with five more stations in southeast. The board says the other stations could still be built when more funding is approved.

The recommendations also include deferring building a Centre Street Station in the Beltline and moving a station at 4 Street SE to above ground.

Unsurprisingly, Ward 10 Coun. Andre Chabot voted against the amendment, as he’s always felt the project should be funded by the province.

“Not to mention the fact that it’s 46.6 times more than what I was asking for before on something that ultimately could benefit our city that I think does fall under municipal responsibility,” he said. “I can’t see myself supporting this because I don’t think it’s achievable. I think first and foremost, if council’s going to move forward with this project, we should focus on delivering what’s before us before looking beyond it as to what we can do.”

That sentiment was shared by Ward 8 Coun. Courtney Walcott.

“It’s just not enough to the $6 million that the province offers us, it’s not even close to the demand,” he said. “This should be something that’s within their purview.”

But not all concerns stemmed from the project’s price tag; Coun. Jennifer Wyness questioned the decision to build the core of the project from Eau Claire.

“Because we’re building in phases, can you explain to Calgarians in the suburbs why we can’t start there when they are kind of a driver for a number of people using this,” she said.

Ward 1 Coun. Sonya Sharp agreed, and also said she was more concerned with the projected timeline, or lack thereof.

“The reason it’s a problem for me, is we’re sitting here talking about the great things that this project is going to bring and we want to finish and scope it and phase it. We have no idea when we’re going to that information.

“I can’t vote for something I don’t know when I’m getting and/or how much it’ll cost for us to get.”

-With files from CityNews Staff