National

Calgary's mayor asks province to salvage parts of halted Green Line transit project

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 20 Sep, 2024 01:08 PM

Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek is urging the Alberta government to preserve pieces of the massive Green Line transit project now being dissolved.

City council voted this week to wind down the $6.2-billion project after Premier Danielle Smith's government said it would pull its $1.53 billion in funding — unless the city altered and extended the line's route.

Even as the Green Line Program is winding down, I know there are ways to ensure a carefully considered rail solution can be delivered to Calgarians in a timely & cost-effective manner. That is why I am asking the Province again to preserve good work that has already been done.👇🏼 pic.twitter.com/ajRJ8afq1G
— Jyoti Gondek (@JyotiGondek) September 20, 2024

The city estimates halting work will cost $850 million on top of $1.3 billion already spent on land acquisition, utility construction and new light-rail vehicles.

In a Thursday letter, Gondek asks the province to preserve some of the work already done to save taxpayer money and prevent delays in future work, including retaining the contract for new vehicles.

The province has hired an engineering firm to come up with new proposals by the end of the year.

Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen says the Green Line was poorly engineered, and had faced escalating costs even as it's scope shrank.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Fire destroys historic Kamloops bridge

An early morning fire has destroyed a historic bridge in Kamloops. The blaze is believed to have started in the middle of city's Red Bridge at around 3 a-m, eventually engulfing the wooden structure that had two lanes for vehicles.

Fire destroys historic Kamloops bridge

B.C. Premier touts involuntary care plans at convention, days before campaign begins

B.C. Premier David Eby says several city governments are on board with having a "secure site" to house and treat severely mentally ill and drug addicted people. Eby told local politicians at the Union of B.C. Municipalities conference in Vancouver that public safety is a priority for cities, especially in downtown cores, where many people are seen "visibly" struggling with addictions.

B.C. Premier touts involuntary care plans at convention, days before campaign begins

Climate, food security, Arctic among Canada's intelligence priorities, Ottawa says

The pressing issues of climate change and food security join more familiar ones like violent extremism and espionage on a new list of Canada's intelligence priorities. The federal government says publishing the list of priorities for the first time is an important step toward greater transparency.

Climate, food security, Arctic among Canada's intelligence priorities, Ottawa says

B.C. and First Nations reach deal to sell 2,600 condos at 60% of market value

An agreement between First Nations and the British Columbia government will see thousands of homes made available in Vancouver at 40-per-cent below cost. Premier David Eby calls it a "remarkable" accomplishment between the province and the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations, which would see about 2,600 homes sold for 60 per cent of the value in one of the most expensive real estate markets in the world.

B.C. and First Nations reach deal to sell 2,600 condos at 60% of market value

NDP flips, BC United flops, B.C. Conservatives surge as election campaign approaches

If the lead up to British Columbia's provincial election campaign is any indication of what’s to come, voters should expect the unexpected. It could be a wild ride to voting day on Oct. 19.

NDP flips, BC United flops, B.C. Conservatives surge as election campaign approaches

Canada makes small emissions cut in 2023, but must ramp up to hit key targets: report

Hikes to oil production and rebounding air travel put a drag on Canada's climate progress last year, a report published Thursday by a leading policy institute found, though the country was still able to make a modest cut to its planet-warming emissions. The new estimates from the Canadian Climate Institute show Canada cut emissions by about 0.8 cent last year compared to 2022, or eight per cent since 2005.