I couldn't imagine Montreal or Toronto having elevated subway tracks downtown (Toronto's streetcars on their own are sources of contention). Couldn't imagine Vancouver's Canada Line being at grade either (going underground was the absolute right decision). And those aren't even alpha cities like London or Tokyo, which rely so heavily on underground lines.
Calgary couldn't use the tunnels they dug under 8th ave. Just crazy to think.
Personally I think if you just make the investment now, get it done proper, you'll have years to review and collect data (while inflation still grows). This "can at-grade achieve the same success" is a time-honored tradition in Calgary infrastructure planning which keeps bringing everyone back to the table every 10 years for the same debate. Over. And over. And over.
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