Alderman to make last pitch to bury part of west LRT

Ward 6 Ald. Joe Connelly is leading a last charge on behalf of communitiesat the west end of the proposed west leg of the LRT to bury the tracks at 45th Street and 17th Avenue S.W.

On Monday, city council will vote on the final route for the proposed eight-kilometre, six-station C-Train route.

Last week, the transportation committee approved a route that would have the LRT run up the middle of Bow Trail at street level and then go underground as it turns onto 17th Avenue at 33rd Street. The line would then pop up to ground level at 41st Street.

'If we are chewing up Bow Trail and we're chewing up 17th Avenue, I need an explanation on how my citizens are going to get to work in the morning.' Joe Connelly, Ward 6 alderman

But Connelly said he will bring demands for changes to next week's council vote after an emergency meeting Wednesday with community association presidents in his ward.

He said they all agreed the underground portion of the LRT should continue past busy 45th streetand rather than have the trains rumble up Bow Trail at ground level, they're asking that the tracks be elevated.

"We have grave concerns about the traffic on Bow Trail that exists today and the fact this will continue forward with increased traffic as we build this line," said Connelly on Wednesday.

"In fact my community would like to see it built underground all the way along. Unfortunately we understand we don't have the money for that."

Communities object to various parts of route

The original $700-million plan, approved by city council in November, called for an elevated track running 22 metres over Crowchild Trail. Residents of Sunalta and Scarboro protested the plan, citing concerns over noise and the height of the track.

But other communities are concerned about how emergency vehicles from a fire and police station at 45th Street will be able to manoeuvre around the tracks, while other residents fear even more traffic congestion on Bow Trail.

"Bow Trail's been chewed up for three years. it's chewed up right now and it will continue to be chewed up," said Connelly.

"I think the people in the community of Ward 6 want to make sure that we do this right, and one of the challenges we have is if we are chewing up Bow Trail and we're chewing up 17th Avenue, I need an explanation on how my citizens are going to get to work in the morning."

Connelly said he will also suggest that the line stop at Sarcee Trail, rather than continuing up the hill to 69th Street. He said that would free up some money that could be put towards the other changes he's proposing.