The city has released images of what the Green Line LRT could look like in downtown Calgary and the short northern leg, including potential bridges over the Bow River.

The images were released Wednesday as the city began public engagement sessions about the updated Stage 1 plan — with new options including street level service along Centre Street North and the associated stations.

The original plan called for a four-kilometre-long tunnel that would go under the downtown, the river and a long stretch of Centre Street North.

After discovering technical challenges that could potentially push the project over the $4.9-billion budget and result in stations up to seven stories underground, the Green Line team switched things up.

Also part of the current discussion will be integrating a tunnel entrance in Eau Claire, which would then run under the downtown, with the surrounding area.

The new plan could also result in 21 kilometres of improved BRT along Centre Street.

Bridge options

This bridge option has more pillars but maintains a low visual profile. (City of Calgary)

With podium supports, this option maintains a low profile and more distance between pillars. (City of Calgary )

This option has a longer span over the river and an arch that lends it more support. (City of Calgary )

One of the options for a bridge over the Bow includes a pillar and cables design to allow a longer span over the river. (City of Calgary )

Stations downtown and north

A vision of what the above-ground Second Avenue Green Line station could look like in the Eau Claire area. (City of Calgary)

The Green Line could run down the middle of Centre Street North, as illustrated here, as opposed to running underground north of the river. (City of Calgary )

The possible ground level 16th Avenue North station, which would be the northern terminus of the Green Line's first phase. It was first pitched as an underground station. (City of Calgary )

Upcoming open houses

This week, there will be four meetings:

March 4 at Decidedly Jazz Danceworks from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.

March 5 at the White Diamond Conference Centre from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.

March 7 at the Sheraton Hotel Eau Claire from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

March 8 at the Crescent Heights Community Association from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

More meetings are planned for the following week and there could be more dates added.

For complete information, visit the city's Green Line site.