City changes western LRT expansion plan after public outcry

The city has changed its plan for the western expansion of the LRT following outcry from residents backing onto the Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway, where the rail line was originally planned to run above-ground.

Instead of an above-ground line along the 700-metre stretch of parkway, the city is now planning to put it underground.

"By electing to bury the additional 700 metres near homes backing onto the parkway, the plan now eliminates the noise and visual intrusion of the train while improving the landscape and access to the adjacent parkway lands," said a news release issued by the city Thursday morning.

"Other refinements to the project include better linkages to the pathway system, greenspace and waterfront, improved safety, and two new open-air stations that will be well integrated with the community and provide easy access to LRT for local residents."

The new open-air stations would be at New Orchard and Cleary near McKellar Park.

Kitchissippi Ward councillor Katherine Hobbs said the changes mean many of her community's concerns have been alleviated.

But the National Capital Commission, which must approve the design since the track crosses over NCC land, said while the city has made improvements thereremainswork to be done.

"We can see an effort certainly mitigate the sound impact on the population living close to that corridor butany proposal that will impact negatively the parkway corridor won't be acceptable to the NCC," said spokesman Jean-Francois Trepanier.

A public open house will be held Monday at Jean Pigott Place in City Hall from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. The city is also accepting email and fax responses until June 21 to be included in a report for the transportation committee and later, city council.