When will construction of the Green Line start?

CALGARY (660 NEWS) – Will we see shovels in the ground this year when it comes to the first leg of the Green Line LRT?

Construction on the first phase of the project was expected to already begin but the procurement process for the line was put on hold in December.

That pause was put in place by city council because they wanted to finish their ongoing work with the Alberta government which includes a provincial review of the city’s approved final plans for the first part of the mega-project. Those plans were approved by council nine months ago.

The province has a $1.5 billion stake in the project which is expected to cost around $5.5 billion.

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While the project was paused, the city was looking for a company to do the work for the LRT line, which was supposed to only last three-months as the province reviewed the project, but there’s still no update and it’s unclear if the city can still start construction this year.

When the pause was ordered last December, many members of council and the mayor felt irritated by the lack of response from the provincial government on the Green Line. Nenshi had said the government is dragging its feet on a necessary project for the city.

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In response, a spokesperson for the Transportation Minister said the UCP government is firmly committed to the project.

“In the letter from Minister McIver to Mayor Nenshi in October, the Minister asked that Calgary and Alberta take the required time to deliver the right outcome for Alberta taxpayers,” the statement reads.

“Per the letter, we are working with the City to address the concerns outlined in the Review. Alberta’s government remains committed to the $1.53 billion it has pledged for the Green Line. However, we would not characterize due diligence on a spending commitment of $1.53 billion as a delay and we will not be held to an arbitrary timeline at the expense of a functional transit project nor hardworking Alberta taxpayers.”

Phase one of the project would include 15 new stations from 16 Ave. N around Crescent Heights to 126 Avenue S.E.