West LRT over budget, behind schedule

The new leg of Calgary’s C-Train network is facing cost overruns and won’t be ready on time, city officials say.

The $1.4 billion West LRT transit project was supposed to be finished by December 2012.

But council confirmed on Thursday it will be at least spring 2013 before construction of the new eight-kilometre line is completed.

And because the project is also two per cent over budget, officials are anticipating an extra $35 million on the final bill. 

Ald. Richard Pootmans said the added cost and delay is due to higher-than-expected land costs.

But he said the new C-Train service from downtown to 69th Street S.W. will be worth the investment.

"Not great news. But, on the same token we are getting a fabulous line, built for the future," he said.