Budget blowout for Green Line LRT to be revealed this week
CBC
The $5.5 billion budget for the Green Line LRT project is getting a makeover. The question is: how high is that number going?
Earlier this month, the Green Line board overseeing the megaproject gave city council the new budget estimate and some recommendations.
Those key bits of information remain confidential for now. Following a closed door session, details are expected to emerge publicly during the council meeting that starts Tuesday.
Scrapping or delaying the 18 kilometre, 13 station LRT line doesn't seem to be an option. Pointing out that the funding partners for the Green Line include the city, the provincial government and the government of Canada, Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek said if anything, it's time to get moving.
"It's an important decision ... It is absolutely a partnership," said Gondek.
"So, we need to get moving on the commitments we have made to Calgarians. We have three partners who really want to see this thing move and that's what we're committed to."
But whatever happens, it appears it's going to be all on council's shoulders.
Last week, the Green Line board issued a statement outlining its recommendations to council, which would allow the project to move ahead within the city's current fiscal realities. The statement pointed out that council would have to do so "without additional funding from the Province of Alberta and Government of Canada for this phase."
Council members cannot say at this time what exactly is on the table in the confidential report. But they have been revealing elements that are likely to be up for consideration.
A Green Line supporter, Coun. Gian-Carlo Carra, said after years of delays, it's time to get on with it.
"The Green Line as currently conceptualized is the backbone of Calgary's best future," said Carra.
"It's just something we have to do and I'm confident that we will stop the political wrangling and just do it."
He pointed out that the Green Line's proposed development is no different than Calgary's other LRT lines. After an initial building phase, the plan is that the line will be extended further and further at each end, as more money becomes available.
The provincial government has suggested Calgary could build more LRT with the current funding if council would drop plans for a two kilometre downtown tunnel, featuring four underground stations.