A $9-billion proposal to build LRT lines to Edmonton's boundaries over the next 30 years won tentative support Tuesday from residents, community and student groups.

Grovenor Community League representative Christopher Spencer told a public hearing on Edmonton's LRT network plan that his area would welcome low-floor LRT along Stony Plain Road if the move avoided expropriation, reduced car traffic and ensured family-friendly homes along the line.

The plan includes using modern low-floor LRT vehicles on new lines that don't tie in to the existing high-floor tracks and creating an urban-style system with less space between stations and more community stops.

It envisions putting lines to the northeast, south, southeast, west, St. Albert and possibly Sherwood Park by 2041, with better bus connections or commuter rail for low-density parts of the region where LRT is impractical. There would also be a line through Old Strathcona linking the southeast line to a station around the University of Alberta.

A consultant's report estimated that 100 years from now this city-based network would attract 499,000 riders daily, up from the current 53,500 riders. One note of caution was raised by the Edmonton Transit System Advisory Board, which in a letter agrees with expanding the LRT system but has "serious reservations" about issues such as the benefits of the low-floor technology and the lack of detailed cost analysis. "We do not have enough detail we have seen to support (the plan) at this date," chairman Masood Makarechian told reporters.

"We would like to follow up some of those questions with administration." The plan was approved by the transportation and public works committee. It goes to city council next week.

Source - Edmonton Journal