Edmonton city council might be on the cusp of approving the proposed route for the northwest LRT line to St. Albert.
After a public hearing Tuesday council approved the first two readings of changes to Edmonton's transportation bylaw, but failed to gain the unanimous support required to move on to third reading.
The route would extend the LRT from Nait through the City Centre Airport lands, over or under Yellowhead Trail, before heading north on 113A Street and turning west on 153 Avenue, ending at a park and ride south of St. Albert.
"We're still at an early enough stage where we're just planning this," said project manager Adam Laughlin. Postponement of third reading would not delay the project, he added.
Mayor Nolan Crouse appeared at the hearing as the only speaker in favour of the proposal. He told council St. Albert is willing to do whatever was needed to ensure the transit project succeeds.
Edmonton Coun. Kim Krushell, whose Ward 2 would be most affected by the route, asked Crouse about an LRT/Bus Rapid Transit reserve that was started this year and what plans the city had to continue its growth.
"We've tried to send a message to our taxpayers that this is important to us," he said, later saying he did not see the current St. Albert council discussing it before the 2011 budget.
Route location
A total of seven Edmonton residents spoke against the alignment. Some expressed concern about how the LRT would affect the neighbourhoods in the northwest, while others protested the idea of shutting down City Centre Airport and having the LRT line run through it.
Ward 2 Coun. Ron Hayter was the sole councillor against proceeding.
Laughlin said the city would re-examine the issue on July 7, where only a majority vote would be required to accept the proposed route. That would allow administration to continue with design and further planning.
Should it be voted down, Laughlin said his team would look to council for recommendations about alternatives for the northwest LRT.
Crouse said he was satisfied with his appearance before Edmonton city council, adding he felt many of the councillors supported the planned route location. He's now prepared to stand back and allow Edmonton to determine what it wants.
"Our position is to support Edmonton," he said. "We're pleased with their leadership … they've accomplished a lot."
Coun. Len Bracko said he hoped Edmonton would pass the route on July 7, adding it was important to the region to get it approved and allow both cities to start work to prepare for construction.
With the amount of older people in the Capital region increasing over the next few years, work on the LRT needs to start as soon as possible.
"The sooner the better," Bracko said.
