Calgary’s city council has voted to cut six stations from Phase 1 of the Green Line LRT megaproject, and to increase its budget to over $6.2 billion.
The proposed new line would run from Eau Claire to Lynnwood/Millican instead of Eau Claire to Shepard, making it much shorter than originally anticipated. A new maintenance and storage facility will be built at Highfield station. The rest of the line will be built out when more funding becomes available.
Council also voted in favour of changing Fourth Street S.E. to an above ground stop as opposed to a below ground station, and deferring the full buildout of the Centre Street underground station.
The project’s budget has ballooned with council approving a $700 million increase in costs, up from the previously reported $5.5 billion.
To make up that difference, the city will draw on multiple sources, including projected tax growth and 75 per cent of future operational savings, with $208 million set to be drawn from a city reserve fund.
The decisions come after a day of closed door meetings between members of the board that is overseeing the Green Line, city council and administration.
Changes to the scope of project itself were recommended by the Green Line board, while budget adjustments were proposed by the city’s chief financial officer on behalf of administration.
“Today’s decision is more than a decade in the making and sets Calgary up for success for years to come, especially at a time when we are the fastest growing city in the nation,” said mayor Jyoti Gondek.
“The Green Line is a critical piece of transportation infrastructure that demonstrates all three orders of government are focused on collaboration and cooperation to get megaprojects moving.”
Council members voted 10-5 in favour of the changes to the project, with councillors Sonya Sharp, Dan McLean, Jennifer Wyness, Sean Chu and Andre Chabot voting against.