Key decisions loom this month for $5.5B Green Line
CBC
City council will make significant decisions this month regarding the future of Calgary's next LRT line.
Over the years, the city assembled a $5.5-billion budget for the 18-kilometre Green Line, which will run from downtown's Eau Claire neighbourhood to Shepard station near 126th Avenue S.E.
That money comes from the city as well as the federal and provincial governments.
For months, concerns have been growing about the rising costs of building what city council wants the line to include.
Council was briefed in June about the budget issues. More work is underway as the Green Line board overseeing the megaproject prepares a final report for the politicians.
Council will get that report in mid-July and that will lead to a discussion at the July 30 council meeting to determine what happens next.
There have been indications the options include finding more money for the Green Line or altering the scope of the project to reduce costs.
The chair of the Green Line board, Don Fairbairn, said the board has now refined its presentation to council.
He said council set the alignment for the LRT line years ago and then delegated to the board the task of delivering the Green Line. However, it is required to come back to council for direction on key elements of the project.
Fairbairn said this is one of those points.
"We're limited in our authority. Ultimately, the authority to proceed resides with council," he said.
"Our job has been to ensure that we understand fully the risks, the costs, the approach to delivering and, ultimately, the benefits of this program."
Another member of the Green Line board is David Duckworth, who is the city's chief administrative officer.
He said the Green Line has been in the works for many years and that it will be a great addition to Calgary's transit infrastructure.