Winnipeg committee recommends LRT
Written by William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-ChiefManitoba’s capital city appears ready to commit to lightrail transit, after the Winnipeg Executive Policy Committee Wednesday recommended the mode to the City Council as part of a long-term plan. LRT is strongly supported by Winnipeg Mayor Sam Katz.
The City Council is expected to vote on the recommendation soon, but the issue is controversial; some council members want funds to continue being targeted at a Bus Rapid Transit route now under construction. Committing to light rail would likely divert some of the funds now envisioned for BRT extensions.
Any LRT system in Winnipeg would be the first within Manitoba. Neighboring Alberta has two cities, Edmonton and Calgary, which committed to modern LRT in the 1978 and 1981, respectively—the first two North American cities to do so.
