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Extending the northern leg of the Green Line transit project could cost up to three times more than pushing the line south, raising debate among councillors about which direction transit should prioritize next.

In a report presented Thursday, the administration notes that 350 land acquisitions will be required to extend the line north from 16th Avenue N. to Keystone, compared to just 12 parcels along the southeast leg between 126th Avenue S.E. to Seton. Though, notably, many of the northern parcels would be very small: in some cases, just a few metres required from the edge of a property line.

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Still, estimates peg land costs in the north at five times that of the south.

North-end councillors pushed back against the data, arguing that ridership and benefits to the surrounding community must be considered alongside cost in evaluating the northern leg.

“When we only talk about dollars, I think it’s really, really important to stress things like ridership, age of community and how long those communities have been waiting for the promise of (transit and pathway) progression,” said Coun. Jyoti Gondek.