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It’s a decision that’s poised to impact Calgarians for decades to come.

The north-central leg of the 46-kilometre, $5-billion Green Line LRT is one step closer to a tunnel under the Bow River and the downtown core.

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Members of the transportation and transit committee voted in favour of the nearly $2-billion underground option on Wednesday following a lengthy meeting in which the scale and lasting effects of the decision were repeatedly highlighted.

“We recognize this is for generations to come,” project manager Fabiola MacIntyre told the committee.

The federal government has pledged $1.5 billion in funding for the massive light rail transit line that would connect Calgary’s north through downtown and the Beltline to the southeast community of Seton.

City council approved $1.56 billion over 30 years and the NDP government has not made any financial commitment.

The price tag for the underground alignment for the Bow River crossing and downtown portion of the project is estimated at $1.95 billion, significantly more expensive than four other options city officials mulled for months.