The chair of Ottawa's transit commission says if changes to Ottawa's new light rail transit plan continue, it could lead to questions about the viability of the entire $2.1-billion project.
The length of the planned downtown tunnel has already been shortened by one-third and other changes are being made to proposed transit stations.
Coun. Diane Deans says major changes - like a shorter downtown tunnel - should raise red flags about the future of the project.
"At this level in the project you're already taking 900 metres off the downtown tunnel. When does it become viable as a tunnel? When do you lose too much?" Deans asked after a committee meeting on Tuesday.
"At what point do we say this doesn't make sense anymore? We have to be prepared to do that."
Other city councillors have also expressed frustration at the progress of the light rail plan.
"We're looking for assurances that the length of the project isn't cut even more. So that's the concern," said Coun. Rick Chiarelli.
The length of the downtown tunnel was shortened when crews recently discovered bedrock and poor soil near the University of Ottawa, forcing planners to make changes. Drilling through the rock would push costs over-budget.
A new LRT station planned near the University of Ottawa, which was supposed to be underground, will be moved above ground. And there are more changes to come.
"(We're) simplifying and phasing the construction of Bayview station, shortening platform lengths and there will be others as we go forward," said John Jensen, the City of Ottawa's director of rail implementation.
According to the current plan, light rail in the capital won't be complete and ready for passengers until 2019. Construction is expected to begin in 2013.
The mayor says he plans to meet with city staff to talk about timelines for the project.
"There is a level of frustration among council and the public because they saw the cancellation of the first plan and it's been years. There's a sense of anticipation and excitement, and we want to do it right," said Mayor Jim Watson.
Although Watson supports LRT, he's said the cost of the project must stay within the city's means.
On the streets of Ottawa, residents just want to get on with it.
"If they can't put it in a tunnel, put it on the surface and get the light rail going," said one resident.
"I think they need to cut the plan down. I think we need more infrastructure work than digging a hole in the ground," added another.
With a report from CTV Ottawa's John Hua
