After three decades of slow-paced growth, Edmonton's LRT system could be on the track for a $5-billion-dollar expansion extending across the capital region

The city's newly-hired transportation manager, Bob Boutilier, laid out his vision for light rail transit in a report released Thursday.

City transportation officials have proposed a $5 billion expansion to the LRT.
(CBC)

The plan goes to a city council committee Jan. 22.

"Council has made it clear to me they want to see things happen quickly," Boutilier said in an interview with CBC Friday. "We had been a leader 25 years ago in LRT. We've fallen behind and you see the results with traffic."

Edmonton's LRT system, first begun in 1978, only covers 12.3 kilometres, snaking from the northeast, through downtown, then across the river south to the University of Alberta. 

A new leg, extending 7.5 kilometres further south, will open in 2010.

Boutilier's plan proposes:

• A new northwest line from downtown to the NAIT campus, eventually linking Edmonton to the city of St. Albert.
• Extending the south LRT line to beyond Anthony Henday Drive to Heritage Valley, possibly with a further link to the Edmonton International Airport.
• Expanding the northeast line to the Gorman East area, then to the city of Fort Saskatchewan.

Plans for a new west-end LRT line are not part of the current proposal but Boutilier is promising to report back to council in April on a plan to serve that part of the city.

Boutilier says with the rapid growth of the entire Edmonton region, now is the time to consider expanding the LRT to link the city with other communities outside its border. 

"LRT is basically the ribbon of steel that ties the capital region together," he said.

Edmonton taxpayers will not be expected pay the full cost the work, he said, adding he hopes the federal and provincial governments will cover most of the pricetag as part of their environmental initiatives.

The first stages of the expansion could come as early as the end of this year, with work beginning on the line to the NAIT campus, he said. 

It would be at least 10 years before LRT reaches area outside the city's borders.