Federal funding for NAIT LRT line confirmed

The city has secured federal funding for the NAIT LRT extension.

Mayor Stephen Mandel said Tuesday that federal contribution to the city’s LRT expansion project has been confirmed and will now be even greater than the government’s original commitment.

The federal Tories had previously committed $75 million to the project, but Mandel said cabinet minister Rona Ambrose has said that number has now been increased to $100 million.

The province says $723 million dollars will come to the capital region to help with LRT projects.

"That line is quite essential and will be serving a very big student body and it’s been planned for some time so that’s obviously good news," said Coun. Kerry Diotte.

With funding for the NAIT LRT line now in order, the city can now start negotiating contracts with construction firms to meet the 2014 deadline.

They also need to order 10 LRT cars within the next few days to ensure delivery in time for the line extension.

The NAIT LRT extention is one of three the city is planning. The other two are lines to the city’s west and southeast.