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City councillors voted to explore reversing lanes and smart traffic signals downtown Thursday as a way to try to ease traffic congestion while still constructing LRT and pedestrian improvements.

“It’s a big deal for anyone that’s going west out of downtown,” said Coun. Tim Cartmell, worried the combination of West LRT and Jasper Avenue enhancements will frustrate commuters.

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West Jasper Avenue is scheduled to go to four lanes from six lanes and lose a dedicated bus lane when officials reconstruct the asphalt and concrete. The west LRT is scheduled to also take out one lane in each direction on Stony Plain Road.

Both projects are being proposed for the next four-year capital budget.

City officials predict the finished projects will add three to eight minutes to west end vehicle commutes, depending on the route.

Cartmell said he wants to see how traffic volume on those routes can be restored before he’s asked to vote on them during the fall budget debates. The report is now due back Oct. 29.