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Calgary’s north-central LRT line could speed through a long and expensive underground tunnel, travel on a new bridge over the Bow River and above Plus-15 walkways downtown or replace at least one lane of traffic on Centre Street bridge.

Four options for the future north-central leg of the LRT system, narrowed down from 18 possibilities, will be discussed by city councillors on Wednesday.

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Each option comes with a list of pros and cons, and each would ultimately connect the north-central LRT and southeast LRT in the city’s core from approximately 24th Avenue N. to 10th Avenue S.

It’s all part of a multibillion-dollar project, which, when complete, would extend the LRT line from the city’s far north to the southeast hospital.

The four options, as well as pros, cons and costs detailed in a city report, are as follows:

Option A — use the existing Centre Street Bridge to cross the Bow River

At $600 million, this is the lowest-cost option, but it’s also the slowest. It’s estimated it would take between 33 and 35 minutes to travel from 10th Avenue S. to a north point on Country Hills Boulevard. This plan includes at-grade stations on Centre Street at 9th Avenue N. in Crescent Heights and on 3rd Avenue at 1st Street S.W. in Chinatown/Eau Claire. The route would have a low environmental impact but disadvantages include the removal of on-street parking on Centre Street and creating a narrow traffic lane on the Centre Street Bridge.