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Council selected Centre Street as the preferred route for the north leg of the Green Line LRT after extensive public engagement between 2012 and 2014. A series of information sessions since then have served as educational tools to inform the public about the route. The latest one, held on Tuesday, provided attendees with an opportunity to give their feedback on station locations, design, access, and circulation around the northern alignment of the 46-kilometre-long project.
Council determined in October that the 'Centre City' segment of the project, which includes the downtown core and Bow River crossing, was going to be a $2 billion fully tunnelled route. It would run underground north of the CP tracks on 9th Avenue S, under 2nd Street SW, and under the Bow River, then resurface north of 16th Avenue along Centre Street. The north leg will put stations along Centre Street between 9th Avenue and the forthcoming community of Keystone Hills.
The sessions sought feedback regarding how traffic would be impacted as the CTrain track exits the tunnel and returns to the street. The current plans brought forward by the City would see a reduction in lanes from two in each direction to one between 20th Avenue and McKnight Boulevard. A City spokesperson had said the underground station at 9th Avenue could cost approximately $250 million, leading to concerns from residents that the Crescent Heights station may need to be eliminated. Homes along Centre Street from McKnight Boulevard to 64th Avenue would experience varying levels of disruption, with some possibly being completely demolished. Council will consider final recommendations on the northern leg of the route in June.
The Green Line LRT will link downtown with Northern Hills and the southeast community of Seton. To help the public understand the individual complexities of the project, the route has been divided into four segments. Connected to the 'Centre City' section, staff are currently examining two options along 12th Avenue from the Beltline to Ramsay and Inglewood, which may or may not include an underground portion. Residents of Ramsay came out to oppose a street-level alignment last fall over fears that an above-ground route would physically cut off the neighbourhood, making it a "dead zone." Staff have also identified five station areas targeted for transit-oriented development for the 'Southeast' portion from Ramsay/Inglewood to Seton.
A computer animation shows what the Green Line LRT would look like under the current design, but notes that the final alignment and station location recommendations will be presented to Council in June:
While the City and federal government have committed roughly $1.5 billion each, the provincial government, despite signalling general support for the project, has yet to match those funds. According to staff and councillors, the cost of the project has ballooned beyond the $4.5 billion estimate.
Additional images and information can be found in the Database file linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion or share your photos? Check out the associated Forum thread or leave a comment at the bottom of this page.
