Alberta Government Planning High-Speed Rail From Calgary to Edmonton

Alberta’s Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors Devin Dreeshen in a file photo. The Canadian Press/Jeff McIntosh

The Alberta government has announced plans to develop a high-speed rail line connecting Calgary to Edmonton, which would begin construction as early as 2027.

“A more densely populated province will need a mobility system that supports our growing population with a fast, safe, and reliable choice of transportation that also meets our goals of reducing emissions,” Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said during a press conference on April 29.

The Alberta government said the high-speed rail line, to be developed over the course of 15 years, will potentially be led by a Crown corporation similar to Ontario’s Metrolinx. Alberta has begun soliciting proposals for a company to take on the project, as well as to put in place a feasibility study on which train technologies and routes are optimal. Alberta’s 2026 budget includes $9 million for the project.

Ms. Smith said the province had been “behind for decades” when it came to its rail systems. “Edmonton and Calgary have been building out and growing their LRT systems, but neither city has a line to connect residents and tourists to their airports,” she said.

‘Like a Nervous System’

According to Transportation and Economic Corridors Minister Devin Dreeshen, the rail network would run from Edmonton to Red Deer to Calgary. It would include other “rail hubs” between connected communities, and include a new rail line connecting Calgary with the communities of Canmore and Jasper.

“It’s like a nervous system. They all have to connect together. I think if one is built, the rest of the system needs to be built quickly to make sure it is a viable vision,” Mr. Dreeshen said.

The minister also said a train connecting Edmonton to Calgary could be fuelled by hydrogen or a hyperloop—a vacuum tube transportation system proposed by Elon Musk—depending on the proposals the Alberta government receives when it comes time to build each line. While past government studies have ruled out such an approach, Mr. Dreeshen predicts a more current study will come to a different conclusion because of the province’s larger population.

“There is a possibility that they say we don’t have the population to support it, but we think that we do because obviously we are a growing population,” he said.

Mr. Dreeshen foresees the rail networks being run by a Crown corporation but said the study will determine how that plays out. The minister promised the Alberta government would be transparent with Albertans and release the results of the study.

“It will be a very open process because we want to take Albertans along on this journey so they know the benefits and the future planning of the province,” he said.

The Passenger Rail Master Plan is expected to be completed by the summer of 2025, and will include “a 15-year delivery plan” that foresees the projects being completed by 2040.