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City officials say additional public consultation will happen early next year before construction starts on the $40-million southwest transitway and bus rapid transit (BRT) project.

The 22-kilometre project, part of the city’s 30-year-old Route Ahead transit plan, would ferry riders from downtown to Mount Royal University, Rockyview General Hospital and Woodlands.

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Construction could start next summer, and would include a new underpass at 90th Avenue S.W., 36 BRT stations, and the addition of two dedicated bus lanes on the west side of 14th Street, arguably the most contentious segment of the project.

“This is about providing good transit service to people in southwest Calgary,” said Ward 11 Coun. Brian Pincott, who has advocated for the southwest transitway since 2010.

“It’s about maximizing existing infrastructure and existing space,” Pincott said. “Put those two things together and it’s cost efficient, making transit work efficiently for people means it’s a viable option.”