Calgary

Calgary's North Central LRT line options mulled by city

Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi says he wants to look at the idea of elevating the North Central LRT above Centre Street.

Mayor says new C-Train line still at least a decade away

Parts of the city's West LRT line are elevated, like in this picture near the Sunalta station. (CBC)

Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi says he wants to look at the idea of elevating the North Central LRT above Centre Street.

There is a plan to have the train line cross the Bow River by the Centre Street bridge, but possibly going underground through Crescent Heights before emerging on Centre Street north of 16th Avenue.

It's the city's most expensive option. 

Running the C-Train along Centre Street is less expensive but takes away vehicle lanes on the busy roadway.

Nenshi says he would like to explore the option of elevating the train line, but he cautions that building the next LRT line is at least a decade away.

City council has yet to finalize the actual routing of the Greenline, which will connect the city’s far north to the South Health Campus in the far south, but the Centre Street alignment has emerged as the preferred path.

The city held a series of open houses this week for residents to weigh in on the options.