One criticism of London’s light-rail rapid-transit dream — that once the tracks are down, they can’t be moved — makes city historian Joe O’Neil laugh.

The permanency of rail through the city, and whether London can be certain it’s going in the right spot, is part of the raft of issues Londoners have raised as city hall develops a transit overhaul.

But O’Neil, a local-history buff, has unearthed a document that suggests the proposed rail lines for London’s rapid-transit proposal are perfectly placed.

He found a map outlining London’s streetcar lines in 1914, and notes the two lines earmarked today for light rail are where the old trolleys ran a century ago.

“People are saying we need flexibility,” O’Neil said. “What kind of flexibility do we need if 100 years later we’re looking at almost the exact same thing?

“I find it hilarious that people are saying we shouldn’t put down rails in case we have to move them. Well, in 100 years, the proposed layout hasn’t changed.”

In the 1914 map, the streetcar lines are similar to today’s plan: North on Richmond Street, east on Dundas Street, south on Wellington Road and west on Springbank Drive.

All but Springbank to the west line up with what’s proposed for rapid transit (it would go west along Oxford Street). The proposed light-rail lines would run on Richmond and Dundas.

“Until we invent the flying car, these are going to be the main routes” in London, O’Neil said.

While the permanency of rail lines is an issue for the plan’s critics, it’s also a key benefit to its supporters: it’s there for good, they believe, which will entice developers to build along them.

But local developers have said that’s not entirely true, and that a bus-only rapid-transit system would likely be enough to spark their interest.

The so-called hybrid system city council is leaning toward — rail along two corridors, bus along the other two — would cost about $880 million. A bus-only option would cost about $475 million.

With either option, London’s portion would be capped at $125 million.

Most of that would come from development charges over the next 20 years. The rest of the money will be sought from Ottawa and Queen’s Park.

The city’s long-ago history of streetcars — the early 20th century’s version of light rail — was cited by Coun. Jesse Helmer last month as he and his council colleagues debated rapid transit.

Helmer noted that Nov. 26 marked the 75th anniversary of the last day a streetcar ran in London.

“And here we are today . . . talking about putting light rail on Dundas and Richmond,” Helmer said.

“The spine of our city is going to remain where it is for as long as I can imagine.”

patrick.maloney@sunmedia.ca