Calgary greenlights Green Line LRT work to start in 2025

It is the largest infrastructure project in the city’s history.

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Key Takeaways:

  • The Green Line LRT is Calgary’s largest infrastructure investment, with construction starting in the southeast this year and immediate work on planning the downtown segment.
  • While construction begins on the southeast segment, the city will simultaneously advance the Functional Plan for the downtown portion, addressing design, cost estimates, and public engagement before proceeding.
  • The Calgary Construction Association supports the phased approach but urges a full downtown solution, while the city seeks federal and provincial approvals to secure funding commitments for the entire project.

The Whole Story:

Calgary City Council has voted ‘yes’ on the Green Line LRT, getting shovels in the ground this year in the southeast and beginning work immediately on the connection into the downtown. It is the largest infrastructure investment in Calgary’s history.

Realizing the significant investments already made through 60% design and enabling construction delivery on the SE Segment from Shepard to the Event Centre/Grand Central Station, the start of main construction will mark the most significant milestone in project history.

Concurrent to construction starting in the southeast, The city says it will begin work immediately on the Functional Plan required for the Downtown Segment to advance design, validate the province’s cost estimates, understand potential impacts to existing infrastructure and engage the public to ensure the project is broadly supported by Calgarians prior to starting construction. This work was identified by the province as outstanding, and the responsibility of the city to undertake.

“The Green Line is a critical piece of transportation infrastructure and an investment in Canada’s fastest growing city,” said David Duckworth, Chief Administrative Officer. “Today’s decision helps us plan and build for Calgary’s best future”.  

The concurrent delivery and development of the SE and Downtown Segments will build the backbone of an over 46-kilometer plan.

To realize this direction, The city will now work with the Government of Alberta and Government of Canada on approval of the updated Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) business case to ensure all previous funding commitments can be realized and invested into Calgary’s future.

The Calgary Construction Association (CCA) released a statement saying it is “cautiously optimistic” following the decision.

“Earlier this week, the CCA submitted a letter urging the project to move forward immediately with construction of the Southeast segment from the new event centre to Shepard, while continuing to study and assess the impacts of the downtown portion,” said the group. “We are encouraged to see council’s recommendations align with this approach, allowing critical infrastructure to proceed while ensuring further due diligence on downtown connectivity and feasibility.”

The CCA added that it remains committed to a Green Line that maximizes service to Calgarians while delivering the best value for taxpayer investment. They called on both the city and the province to ensure that a full downtown solution including connectivity to Eau Claire and the North also remains a priority, recognizing the importance of a fully integrated transit network that meets the needs of a growing city.

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