The Alberta government is pushing ahead with plans for a high-speed rail line between Calgary and Edmonton with support from the federal government.
The province will launch a formal request for proposal this fall that will ask private-sector proponents to submit proposals for a high-speed rail project between downtown Calgary and Edmonton that includes service between both international airports, Red Deer and Airdrie.
The province announced the completion of Alberta’s Passenger Rail Master Plan in June.
“Throughout the development of Alberta’s Passenger Rail Master Plan, we heard that a high-speed passenger rail connection between Calgary and Edmonton via Red Deer is a priority for Albertans,” Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen said Monday at Heritage Park. “We are excited to move forward with this project, which will transform the way Albertans travel.”
The proposed high-speed rail connection would travel up to 320 km/h in a greenfield corridor through new, dedicated passenger rail tracks.
Trips between downtown Calgary and downtown Edmonton would take one hour and 45 minutes of travel time through the connection.
RelatedAlberta’s population growing, with many expected to live in Calgary-Edmonton corridor
Statistics Canada population data indicate Alberta is growing faster than any other province in 2026, with the Calgary, Red Deer and Edmonton region home to roughly 80 per cent of Alberta’s population, said Premier Danielle Smith.
Much of that growth is taking place within that corridor, creating the need for modern infrastructure to keep people and goods moving efficiently, she said.
“The successful proponent’s project proposal will be expected to include minimal financial investment by Alberta’s government, and be integrated into existing passenger rail systems in both Calgary and Edmonton,” Smith said. “We expect to select a proponent by April of 2027.
The federal government has confirmed that once a private-sector proponent is chosen, the project would be referred to the Major Projects Office for review, Smith said, with the two governments working together to support its planning and advancement.
Premier Danielle Smith shakes hands after the provincial and federal governments announced a request for proposals for a high-speed rail line between Calgary and Edmonton during a press conference at Heritage Park in Calgary on Monday, Sept. 28, 2026.
“Generations of Albertans stand to benefit from this new transportation option, which is why Alberta’s government is taking an accelerated approach to advance the project,” Smith said. “We are pleased that the federal government recognizes the significance of this opportunity and look forward to working together to move this initiative from planning to delivery.”
Federal government sees potential in Alberta high-speed passenger rail plan, says minister
The federal government see the potential of the high-speed passenger rail in Alberta, said Eleanor Olszewski, Minister Responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada.
“We’ll need to listen to Indigenous communities, municipalities, industry, the public (and) we’ll need to understand the costs, the benefits and the impacts,” Olszewski said.
“That work will require care because an opportunity like this deserves to be done well, but doing that work together is itself a choice and today the Government of Alberta and the Government of Canada, in conjunction and collaboration with the mayors, are doing exactly that. And we will continue to move this project forward.”
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