Contentious Southwest Bus Rapid Transit project to continue

Since the project was previously approved by council, a reconsideration vote would have required at least 10 votes.

On Monday only three councillors voted to pause it and 11 voted to have it proceed as planned.

A proposal to pause the next phase of the Southwest Bus Rapid Transit (SW BRT) project was rejected by Calgary city council Monday.

Two councillors, Jeromy Farkas and Diane Colley-Urquhart, had requested a review of the project’s “scope, timing and funding.”

Phase Two of the SW BRT runs along 14 Street S.W. and includes dedicated bus lanes.

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The initial cost of the project was $40 million, but has risen to an estimated $57 million to $65.6 million since then.

Last week, Mayor Naheed Nenshi said he opposes any delay in the project, calling it a “terrible idea.”

But the mayor added it’s important for Coun. Farkas to have the opportunity to make his case before council.

Since the project was previously approved by council, a reconsideration vote would have required at least 10 votes.

According to Coun. Evan Woolley on Twitter, only three councillors voted to pause the project and 11 voted to have it proceed as planned. One councillor was absent.