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Edmonton officials are recommending the city leave LRT tracks running at grade across downtown’s busy 109 Street-104 Avenue intersection, even though it’s already congested.

Project manager Eva Cheung said raised tracks would be an eyesore and tunnelling would be expensive, giving little extra value since traffic backs up from the High Level Bridge.

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But the decision shocked some drivers at Wednesday’s open house at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, 10127 145 St.

“It’s a big bottleneck. As it is, that MacEwan intersection is congested,” said Salim Keshwani, wading through a packed church auditorium to see the city’s new plans.

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“They should go underground,” added Joseph David, who often drives through that intersection. “It’s going to cost more, but Edmonton’s going to grow. They’re going to have to tear it up again and do it properly.”

City officials hosted the open house to update residents on plans for the 14-kilometre west leg of the Valley Line, from downtown to West Edmonton Mall, which is heading to a public hearing March 21.

Council asked officials to examine where the track should be elevated or tunnelled to avoid traffic snarls seen on the Metro Line before it goes to tender.

Officials are recommending the west LRT tracks be elevated over 170 and 178 streets.

On Wednesday, they also released a recommendation for 149 Street to be sunk, leaving the LRT tracks at grade along Stony Plain Road.