streetcar barn was replaced with a new barn in 1913, which would be in use until the system ceased operations in 1951. That same year, the High Level Bridge was completed, and provided an additional connection for streetcars between Edmonton and Strathcona; prior to its opening, the Low Level Bridge was the only river crossing with streetcar infrastructure. A long-term expansion plan was presented to City Council by municipal staff in November 1912. The proposal called for 15 belt line routes, which would operate in circuits instead of straight (radial) lines. Council was told by city staff that the plan should provide adequate service for the next 50 years. Beginning in 1913, the plan was incorporated into expansion work that the ERR undertook. The plan never came fully to fruition; the ERR later reverted back to a radial network model, and it never reached 15 routes. A baby, Peter Budnyk, was born on Streetcar No. 42 (which is now operated by the Edmonton Radial Railway Society) on June 19, 1914. His mother was on her way home from work, and went into labour during the commute. She whispered something into the ear of the Conductor, and, blushing, he promised to try and hurry the streetcar to the doctor as quickly as he could. Despite the crew's best efforts, the woman gave birth while she was still on the streetcar. At Kirkness and Alberta Avenue, two women carried the mother and her baby into the nearby ERR waiting room, and an ambulance later took them to a hospital. Peter was healthy, and remained in the Edmonton area; he later rode Streetcar No. 1 during its ceremonial last run on September 1, 1951. Early growth The ERR was hard-pressed for employees during the First World War, because a number of its staff joined the military after war broke out; at least four of-whom died while overseas. Service was further hampered during this time by a major flood in 1915, an influx of European refugees, and the rise of jitneys (shared taxis). The ERR was forced to contend with a rising deficit, leading to the Edmonton Property Owners' Association demanding that the ERR be led by an independent board elected by residents, rather than unelected city staff. In September 1915, H. Milton Martin chaired an investigation which found that the ERR had suffered from notable financial mismanagement which created its deficit. The Martin