{"id":174820,"date":"2026-08-19T23:08:23","date_gmt":"2026-08-19T23:08:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/174820\/"},"modified":"2026-08-19T23:08:23","modified_gmt":"2026-08-19T23:08:23","slug":"strong-support-for-blue-line-extension-but-residents-crave-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/174820\/","title":{"rendered":"Strong support for Blue Line extension, but residents crave more"},"content":{"rendered":"

Recent public engagement on Calgary\u2019s Blue Line extension shows strong support, but many respondents say the project scope is just too short.<\/p>\n

The most recent What We Heard report for the northeast Calgary light rail transit expansion showed that nearly 90 per cent of 724 respondents were either very supportive or somewhat supportive of the project.<\/p>\n

(Editor\u2019s note: The survey respondents were largely from the area, and should not be considered generalized, cross-Calgary support.)<\/p>\n

While support for the one-kilometre extension from the Saddletowne Station to 88 Avenue and 60 Street NE was strong, the report shows considerable feedback that it\u2019s not long enough and doesn\u2019t reach the population centres in northeast Calgary.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am very supportive of the Blue Line extension, but I don\u2019t think the station should be at 88 Ave,\u201d one respondent said, and was recorded in the report.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt should instead be extended to Country Hills so that it can serve (a) majority of the NE population that live in Cityscape, Skyview, Redstone and Savanna.\u201d<\/p>\n

Other comments were similar.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am a bit disappointed that it\u2019s only adding 1 km and a station after a long wait,\u201d another respondent said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt should at least extend until Country Hills Blvd for a better connection for communities like Cornerstone, Redstone and Cityscape.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to the report, the Blue Line extension will serve the community of Savanna, provide more bus connections for the northeast and also be the launching point for a connection to the Calgary International Airport.<\/p>\n

Danny Panday, leader of transit systems in Infrastructure Services, said that right now the Blue Line extension project is in 30 per cent detailed design stage. Panday said that would likely be complete sometime in Q4 of 2026.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat that basically means is we look at stuff from when the last function was done in 2019-2020-ish,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re progressing that now to the detailed design where we\u2019re saying, \u2018OK, let\u2019s fix these elements.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Engagement incorporated into the new design<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>The latest project map posted to the Blue Line Extension project page. CITY OF CALGARY<\/p>\n

Panday said that they\u2019ve already begun to review potential changes to the 88 Avenue design in response to some of the feedback they received from citizens.<\/p>\n

He said the report breaks down some of the thematic areas that citizens provided commentary on.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor example, one of them is the station amenities, where people have the desire for certain elements,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThose comments, for example, are being incorporated into the station design elements.\u201d<\/p>\n

Comments covered pedestrian safety, crossing elements, safety gates, and heated shelters. They also talked about accessibility, signage in different languages and even toilets.<\/p>\n

The one big concern for the site was parking. Of the 1,702 responses to the question of how citizens would access the new station, nearly 25 per cent said it would be through the Park and Ride.<\/p>\n

Parking is something that Panday said might be difficult to accommodate. There\u2019s limited space at the site for parking.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s always our approach to try and get people to use the buses, take them to the station,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Overall, the report showed that quality bus connectivity and the potential impact to traffic outweighed concerns about keeping costs on the project low. Right now, the cost is estimated at roughly $160 million.<\/p>\n

Safety and social disorder comments were common across all of the themes, with some respondents wanting turnstiles, better lighting, and visible security.<\/p>\n

Further Blue Line extension is cash dependent<\/p>\n

Panday said the first step is to get the project to 88 Avenue, largely so work can move ahead on an airport connection.\u00a0 A further jump to Country Hills Blvd is in the 10-year capital plan, but entirely dependent on where the current and future councils want to deploy cash.<\/p>\n

Panday said the consultant they\u2019re working with now has a further extension within its scope of work, should funding become available. He said if that happens, they will just continue with preparations for that extension.<\/p>\n

While a lot of the future Blue Line requires a funding commitment, Panday said this added 88 Avenue station will serve more Calgarians in the northeast and become an interim terminus station for many of the area\u2019s bus routes. \u00a0The project page shows that the station will have 11,000 Calgarians living within 800 metres by 2048.<\/p>\n

\u201cWould we like to do more? Yes, of course,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt all depends on funding.\u201d<\/p>\n

The province assisted with funds for the detailed design portion, but the project still requires construction funding \u2013 potentially in the City of Calgary\u2019s next four-year capital budget.<\/p>\n

Ward 5 Coun. Raj Dhaliwal said he\u2019s going to be pushing hard to make sure the construction funding is secured \u2014 along with higher priority for the Country Hills extension.<\/p>\n

The area councillor said the 88 Avenue station was an important link to the northeast and to the airport.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut if I\u2019m a businessman and I want to do something to get return on investment, I\u2019m going all the way to Country Hills, because that\u2019s where the biggest catchment is: Cityscape, Skyview, Redstone, Cornerstone,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat is in itself about 100,000 people in the next couple, three years. So, it\u2019s a no-brainer that going 88 (Avenue) and then moving on to Country Hills as one project is critical.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to 2021 Statistics Canada federal census data, which is the latest available, northeast Calgary communities saw population growth of 95 per cent when compared with 2016. Since that data, Calgary has experienced a massive population boom, with some years seeing up to 100,000 new citizens arrive in the city.<\/p>\n

Panday said the 88 Avenue project has a tentative construction start for 2028, though immediate funding from other orders of government could accelerate that to next year. The project has had some challenges reaching that stage in the past.<\/a> <\/p>\n

\u201cBut currently, the plan is to complete the design, have all the package and everything ready for a construction RFP targeting construction in the spring of (20)28,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Liked it? Take a second to support Darren Krause on Patreon!<\/p>\n

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