North LRT line should run up Centre Street, Calgary Transit says

The LRT line to Calgary's north end should run up Centre Street, Calgary Transit decided Wednesday.

The transit authority had been faced with a choice between running the route up Centre Street or Edmonton Trail. Officials say Centre Street has the highest public transit ridership rate in the city and now will see the newest addition to Calgary's LRTline, which could also include a tunnel underneath Crescent Heights.

"It's definitely one of our options right now that we're looking at," said Jon Lea, the city's senior transit planner. "We're looking to determine exactly how it will work."

Not everyone supports the decision, however.

Ward 4 Coun. Sean Chu says Edmonton Trail would be a better choice.

"Centre Street is pretty much developed," he said. "It doesn't have as much opportunity for other developments from the ground up, so I think Edmonton Trail would be a better location."

Calgary Transit plans to hold several open houses before the proposal goes to a City Hall committee in December.

There's still no clear timing of when crews will break ground.