City council approves Stage 1 of Green Line LRT
Posted Jun 16, 2020 7:35 pm.
Last Updated Jun 17, 2020 7:06 am.
CALGARY (660 NEWS) — It’s a green light for the largest infrastructure project in Calgary’s history.
City council approved a revised plan for stage one of the Green Line LRT with a vote of 14-1.
This means the first phase of the $5 billion project will begin construction as early as spring 2021.
RELATED: Green Line committee supports recommended Stage 1 alignment
That will lay almost 20 kilometres of track from 16 Ave. north to Shepard Road in the southeast.
The remaining 26 kilometres will start off as a bus rapid transit (BRT) network with plans to convert the route that connects to the Green Line rail in the future.
Today, City Council voted, once and for all, to approve the Green Line.
This isn’t a big day for Calgary. It’s the biggest day.
This project is going to change the way Calgarians get around, shape reinvestment in our communities, and help stimulate our local economy.
— Naheed Nenshi (@nenshi) June 17, 2020
Ward 11 Councillor Jeromy Farkas was the only one to vote against the revised plan saying there are still many questions that need to be answered.
On all recommendations expect for number 5 is being voted on.
This is carried 14-1. Farkas is the only one to vote against
— Jeff Slack (@Jeffslack660) June 17, 2020
Administrations presented a revised version of Stage 1 to the council on June 1.
Despite the approval, some aren’t celebrating the project quite yet.
The Canadian Taxpayers Federation calls the decision unfortunate, predicting it will lead to higher taxes.
However, the Calgary Alliance for the Common Good is calling the move a victory saying the LRT line is badly needed and the project will create around 20,000 jobs.
The alliance and several other groups in Calgary have been lobbying city council to build the Green Line especially to meet the transit needs of those in north-central Calgary.
WATCH: Keeping the Green Line LRT on track
Construction will be split into three segments.
— Segment 1: Elbow River to Shepard
— Segment 2A: 2 Avenue SW station to Elbow River
— Segment 2B: 16 Avenue N to north of 2 Avenue SW station
The first segment is ready for shovels to hit the ground.
Bidding on the project will start on July 24.
For a full list of details on the Green Line, visit calgary.ca
