Gondek expresses doubt about downtown segment of Green Line LRT plan as province signals full steam ahead

Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek says the province is jumping the gun in claiming the downtown segment of the Green Line LRT project will move ahead based on the new alignment. 

It's the latest jab in an ongoing war of words between the city and the provincial government over the future of Calgary's major transit expansion.

"The province, without consulting with their federal or municipal partners, issued a news release that suggested we are moving full steam ahead with their downtown alignment, even though significant risks and unanswered questions remain," Gondek told reporters on Wednesday. 

In a statement released Tuesday, Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors Devin Dreeshen said because the federal government has re-approved its funding for the project, construction on the elevated alignment downtown can start in 2027.

"This work will be based on the Government of Alberta's plan and alignment, using 10th Avenue S.W. and Second Street S.W. The design is expected to be completed by 2026, leading to construction on the downtown segment beginning in 2027," Dreeshen said.

Gondek says there's no guarantee construction will start in that time frame, and expressed doubt that the design phase would be finished by 2026.

She said the AECOM report commissioned by the province clearly acknowledges that the plan lacks the necessary analysis to move forward.

"I have no idea how they propose to get this done by 2026. This is a process that will involve stakeholder engagement," the mayor said, adding businesses in the area that will be impacted by the proposed alignment have not yet had any conversations with the province.

Asked about the mayor's concerns, Dreeshen said in an interview with CBC on Wednesday that more stakeholder engagement and consultation needs to be done before the downtown section of the Green Line moves forward.

According to the city's website, the functional plan for the downtown segment is expected to be completed in 2026. The functional plan includes but is not limited to advancing design work on the downtown segment of the project.

Gondek says there's no information yet on how an elevated LRT line will affect businesses and building owners in the area, or if it's even technically feasible. The mayor added there's also no agreement yet with CPKC for the necessary rights to build the CTrain line through the company's rail right of way.

Gondek spoke to reporters Wednesday outside of Michael's Restaurant and Pizza on 10th Avenue S.W., one of the streets that could one day be in the shadows of elevated CTrain track.

One of the owners of that pizzeria, John Batas, said no one has consulted him about the idea to build the LRT there.

"It's just shocking. Like yesterday's [provincial release] saying it sounds like it's a done deal, that was another kind of gut punch we've received," Batas said. "When we first heard about it, I had no idea until a reporter came and asked me what I thought of it."