Streetcar comeback possible after LRT to Mount Royal University overlooked
After 66-year absence, could trolleys return to the city?
There hasn't been a streetcar running in Calgary since the last route went out of service in 1950, but that could change thanks to a mistake that prevents a C-Train route to Mount Royal University.
A city report this week hinted there could be a streetcar comeback in the southwest — connecting MRU, the Currie Barracks area and the West LRT.
But city councillors say a lot more work must be done to determine if it's possible.
The report also found an LRT spur line from Westbrook Station south along 37th Street S.W. isn't possible, primarily because that was overlooked during the construction of the Westbrook tunnel.
"My goal in 2008 was to preserve all options and not take one off the table, and unfortunately, one is. One which may have been the best one — who knows? Can't even be considered," said Coun. Brian Pincott at City Hall.
The Currie Barracks and MRU area is set to be served by the future Southwest bus rapid transit (BRT) route.
The committee wants city administration to take a more detailed look at the streetcar idea, but noted it's not currently in the city's 30-year transit plan.
"We've talked about how do we get improved transit down to Mount Royal University and Currie Barracks, as it's still developing. There's a huge, amazing hub that's building right now," Pincott told the Calgary Eyeopener prior to the council meeting.
He has pushed for improved transit connections to the area for years.
Pincott said transportation ideas are needed, because on top of all the people going to the university, the new Currie Barracks development will add as many as 12,000 people to the area. Two nearby business parks are also under construction.
"While we're dreaming of these nodes in 20 or 30 years in other places, it's actually happening right now at Mount Royal Currie Barracks," he said.
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With files from the Calgary Eyeopener and Scott Dippel
Corrections
- An earlier version of this story said streetcars operated in Calgary as late as the 1970s. In fact, the last route went out of service in 1950.Nov 10, 2016 10:07 AM MT