After years of debate, the airport tunnel has been given the green light.

City council finally passed the contentious plan 8-7, after debating past midnight Tuesday.

According to a report to council, the cheapest option is to tunnel now at a cost of $294.8 million, rather than putting it off.



The project could cost taxpayers more than $1.5 billion if the tunnel is put in after another runway is built at the airport.

Several amendments were also passed, including looking at alternate funding sources like construction levies for northeast businesses or a toll.

Those in favour of the tunnel:

Gian-Carlo Carra

Andre Chabot

Peter Demong

Mayor Naheed Nenshi

Jim Stevensen

Shane Keating

Ray Jones

Richard Pootmans

Those who voted against:

Diane Colley-Urquhart

Brian Pincott

John Mar

Druh Farrell

Gael MacLeod

Dale Hodges

Gord Lowe.

Mayor Nenshi discussed the project at a noon luncheon with Premier Ed Stelmach on Monday.

Stelmach said he wouldn't make any commitments to the project until city council made a decision on the plan.



