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Edmonton laid claim to west LRT cash Thursday and immediately reached for more.

Alberta’s 2018 budget includes $3 billion over 10 years for light rail transit in Calgary and Edmonton. That includes a $1.53-billion commitment to Calgary for its Green Line, a new route running through the city’s south side.

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Mayor Don Iveson did the quick math.

“The government will provide $1.5 billion to Edmonton, which will more than cover the west LRT with dollars left over to work towards additional priorities,” he said, celebrating in the legislature rotunda after the speech.

Edmonton wants to expand the LRT system north, south and down Whyte Avenue afterward.

The NDP also is promising to work together on a long-term transit plan, Iveson said. “That’s very exciting news.”

But that’s not exactly what Alberta promised, Transportation Minister Brian Mason said after the budget speech.

Calgary is further ahead on its light rail transit plans, Mason said. He’ll look at Edmonton’s request when it comes in.