West LRT for Edmonton

As the finish line is now in sight for the South LRT the city of Edmonton can turn it's attention to expanding the LRT in a different direction. In this case West. To the West the city could connect the West Edmonton Mall, and many of the communities that have expanded beyond the Henday. Of course this will all depend on wether the city gets around to it. Edmonton has a history of dragging it's feet when it comes to public transit. It spent years planning bus rapid transit before realizing that in the end it's still just a bus. So now that it's set it's sights on a West LRT we can expect the same level speed and agressiveness that took over 30 years to get an LRT to the south of the city. One clear indication of this is the length of time it has taken between open houses and public hearings. Being delayed a number of times the public hearing is now scheduled for June 2nd 2009, more than a year after open houses laid out the planned route. I for one like the idea of an LRT and the route along 87th ave it makes economic sense and it actually goes to places people want to go. Mandel's plan of running it far North and away from his house totally ignores the idea that transit should go somewhere, LIKE THE MALL, and not end up in the middle of nowhere. One way or the other it will likely be 15 years before there's even a chance an LRT train will roll into West Edmonton Mall Transit centre.