Construct airport tunnel: mayoral candidate

Calgary mayoral candidate Craig Burrows says if he's elected, he'll find a way to build the long-planned tunnel linking northeast communities and businesses to the airport.

The former alderman said Thursday that the tunnel is a necessity for all of Calgary, not just the northeast.

Burrows wants it built before construction of a new Calgary International Airport runway begins, he said, even though the airport authority has said the window for that has passed.

"What I think is important is that we sit down with the leaders of the airport authority and the other people who are appointed board members to the airport authority, to make sure we've got this right," he told CBC News.

"The airport authority [is] part of Calgary, not the other way around, and we have to work together. The airport is a critical part of tourism and economic growth in this city."

Busy Barlow Trail between 48th Avenue and Airport Road is slated to close in April 2011 to allow construction of a fourth airport runway nearby.

The city had originally estimated the tunnel would cost the city $287 million if it was put in before the runway. The cost of boring a tunnel under a completed runway has pushed the tunnel's price to $900 million, the city announced earlier this year.

The tunnel would create an east-west artery across Calgary's northeast, connecting 96th Avenue E. to 36th Street N.E.

The development of a new runway has been part of the airport authority's plans since the early 1990s. Burrows said he would discuss what the tunnel would cost Calgarians this fall.

"Today is not about where I'm going to come up with the money; that will come in due time in September when I actually announce my budget," Burrows said.

"I believe that the northeast quadrant is important to the city. It's like anything. If you say 'I'm going to do something,' then you work towards it."

Burrows is one of eight people running in the Calgary mayoral race.

Mayor Dave Bronconnier announced in February that he would not seek re-election this October.

Burrows is joined by Mount Royal University professor Naheed Nenshi, Aldermen Bob Hawkesworth, Ric McIver and Joe Connelly, as well as former alderman Jon Lord, Liberal MLA Kent Hehr and urban farming advocate Paul Hughes.