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Green Line spending approaches $675 million

A conceptual drawing of an outdoor station along the Green Line LRT. (City of Calgary/Youtube - image credit)
A conceptual drawing of an outdoor station along the Green Line LRT. (City of Calgary/Youtube - image credit)

Spending on Calgary's Green Line is approaching $675 million as preparation for the project continues.

The Green Line board heard an update on the project Friday. The $5.5 billion light rail transit line is set to be the most expensive infrastructure investment in the city's history.

Much of the money spent so far has been spent on design work, engineering, preparation work and land acquisition.

The city is still buying land in Calgary's downtown and Beltline areas, but it's possible it may take expropriation for some of the properties, Green Line CEO Darshpreet Bhatti said.

"That isn't a reflection of us not trying to find amicable negotiations. This is just to ensure the timeliness and availability of land is there," Bhatti said.

Work to relocate underground utilities in the downtown and Beltline areas will begin later this year.

Bhatti says an announcement on the winning bidder for the light rail vehicles that will be used on the Green Line should be made by the end of the year. He also said he's expecting an update next month on the procurement process for the line.

The Green Line is funded by the Government of Canada, Government of Alberta and City of Calgary.