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But traffic has improved since then, Nat Alampi, director for LRT infrastructure delivery, said Monday: “Most of the traffic is getting through that intersection in a single light.”

The team looked at tunnelling or raising the track, or realigning it onto Kingsway Mall property. The options go to council March 21.

Officials have not yet evaluated options for fixing the Metro LRT Line crossing at 111 Avenue, where traffic volume is higher.

At the open houses, officials will also look for public feedback on the proposed bridge over Yellowhead Trail and the CN Rail yards as they determine how much to cut into the dog park there.

They’re also measuring interest in bus rapid transit as a precursor to LRT.

Rapid bus options

Coun. Bev Esslinger said she’d like to see the LRT extended as far as possible immediately, over the Yellowhead Trail/CN Rail yards and up to the transit-oriented development planned in the Griesbach neighbourhood.

“Get as far as we possibly can and supplement it with a bus connection,” she said, arguing a good transit connection could cut commuting times to downtown by half.

“People see there might need to be some sort of bus option in the interim, but no one is giving up on LRT.”

Open house details

For the Metro Line extension, Tuesday’s open house is in the lobby of the Castle Downs Family YMCA, 11510 153 Ave. It runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

On Thursday, the open house runs from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Shaw Theatre Lobby on the NAIT main campus, 11762 106 St. After the sessions, the boards and a survey will be available online at edmonton.ca/metroNW.

City officials working on the west LRT also have an open house, this one to present a recommendation for the crossing at 149 Street, plus 107 and 109 streets downtown. It’s Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, 10127 145 St.

estolte@postmedia.com

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City of Edmonton, supplied

City of Edmonton, supplied

City of Edmonton, supplied