New LRT routes opposed at public hearings

Two new light-rail transit (LRT) routes proposed for Edmonton drew mostly negative reaction from people who spoke to city council on the first day of public hearings on the issue at city hall Monday.

About 69 people registered to speak about the two new lines under consideration. The proposed routes are one in the east connecting Churchill Station downtown to the Millwoods Transit Centre, and one in the west that run from the Lewis Estates to downtown by way of 87th Avenue past West Edmonton Mall, Stony Plain Road and 104th Avenue.

The western route has been the most controversial and was the one most of the presenters focused on.

"We're strongly in support of having LRT to the west part of Edmonton," said David Donnelly from the West Edmonton Business Association. "Along with good transport comes good business growth. We also recognize that one of the largest malls in the world has no LRT."

But long-time Stony Plain Road business owner Greg Downie — who collected 1,300 names on a petition against the route —disagreed with Donnelly's assessment. Running the LRT line down the Stony Plain Road would substantially reduce the number of cars driving past area businesses, he said.

"They go from 25,000 cars a day down to 8,000," he said. "Remove the traffic, the businesses don't survive. It's that simple."

Most of the people who spoke to council Monday opposed the new routes. 

Councillor Don Iveson said there is still much for council to consider.

"First of all, it's our job to keep an open mind until we've heard from the public," he said. "But I've certainly heard conversations ... that not everybody is sold on the proposal. I don't think there are 13 votes for this proposal right now, so it's still all up in the air."

The public hearing into the routes will resume Friday.