City wants transmission line buried

Edmonton wants the segment ofthe controversial Heartland power transmission line that runs through the city's southeast corner built underground.

AltaLink and Epcor's proposed route for the 500,000-volt line from Wabamun Lake to the industrial heartland near Fort Saskatchewan runs within 800 metres of nearly5200 homes, the city said.

"Just imagine for a minutea 24 story tower right in your backyard," said Coun. Amarjeet Sohi."What impact that is going to have on your quality of life.

"Having this huge electrical fence around our city doesn't send a message thatour city is an attractive city to live in."

The city believes putting the line underground would be safer, look better and have the least impact on property values.

The utilities said burying the line wouldcost hundreds of millions of dollars, but the city isn't buying it. The city estimates the cost ofburying the 20-kilometre portion of the line would cost only$90 million.

If the line remains above ground, councillors saidit shouldbe built west of the city, wherefewer residents will be affected.

Strathcona County andcitizens groups will join the city Monday at a public hearingon the line.