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I had an interesting exchange with Ward 5 candidate Miranda Jimmy on LRT vs BRT. I raised the issue because many... Posted by DavidStaples EdmontonJournal on Thursday, September 21, 2017

It’s madness. Three previous city councils have spent more than a decade consulting, debating and planning this route. There have been open houses, public hearings, all kinds of public discussion. Just this June, council dedicated $24 million to fine-tuning the design. And it’s got another $130 million earmarked to start buying up properties along the route, where land is needed for construction.

The new Liberal federal government has already signalled its willingness to pony up a good share of the funding. Negotiations with the province are proceeding.

Andrew Knack, who is running to retain his Ward 1 seat, said he expects the Notley government to announce its financial support in the next couple of months and for the contracts to go out to tender in 2018, with construction to start in late 2019.

But if the province and Ottawa get the sense that the Valley Line West LRT isn’t a priority? That it isn’t what Edmonton really wants? Well, believe me, they have many other places they could invest their infrastructure dollars. If we lose our resolve now, even if we start sending mixed messages, this moment to push mass transit to the west end might be lost.

“This is not the moment to say we should be holding off on the west LRT,” said Knack. “Not when we’re getting close, after long, long, long waits.”

The case for a west LRT line remains as compelling as ever. It will be a catalyst for infill and redevelopment all along Stony Plain Road and down 156 Street.