{"id":77321,"date":"2026-06-06T12:47:27","date_gmt":"2026-06-06T12:47:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/77321\/"},"modified":"2026-06-06T12:47:27","modified_gmt":"2026-06-06T12:47:27","slug":"calgary-connections-could-be-the-first-parts-of-albertas-passenger-rail-strategy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/77321\/","title":{"rendered":"Calgary connections could be the first parts of Alberta’s passenger rail strategy"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Alberta Government is moving forward on a 30-year passenger rail master plan, beginning with airport connections in Calgary and Edmonton, followed by high-speed rail between the two cities.<\/p>\n

Premier Danielle Smith was joined by Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors Devin Dreeshen and Chris Dinsdale, president and CEO of Calgary Airports, to make the announcement on June 5, 2026, and it will come with an initial $15 million over three years for planning.<\/p>\n

The premier said that she and Minister Dreeshen had been working with stakeholders and met with rail operators, manufacturers, and other industry leaders to gain insight on how to move ahead. More than 22,000 people participated in public engagement.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe heard many perspectives, but one thing was abundantly clear. A feasible passenger rail network is no longer just a vision for Alberta,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a goal, certainly it\u2019s an ambitious goal, and it will take about three decades of steady, incremental work to achieve it.\u201d<\/p>\n

The plan calls for a 300 km\/h high-speed rail connecting Alberta\u2019s two largest cities \u2013 Calgary and Edmonton \u2013 and then other regional passenger rail routes that connect tourism areas and other centres. Those would travel at 160 km\/h.<\/p>\n

Minister Dreeshen said that the initial funding will support work to connect the Calgary and Edmonton airports to each city\u2019s respective LRT systems.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe funding will also support initial planning for a central station in downtown Calgary,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis vision for a passenger rail station would connect to a future Calgary event center. Having these connections would eventually allow passengers to travel seamlessly between downtown Calgary to right here at the airport.<\/p>\n

The so-called Grand Central Station in Calgary would not only be the connection point for regional rail, but it would serve as the terminus for the Green Line southeast leg to connect with the downtown portion of that line<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Airport connections to be accelerated<\/p>\n

Premier Smith said that people they heard from in both cities said that airport connections were a priority. The City of Calgary is already moving ahead on a Blue Line extension to 88 Avenue<\/a> to help accommodate an airport connection.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s in Calgary, the extension of the Blue Line is going to be very likely the most feasible project in the short term, but that helps to allow us to develop a multimodal terminal here that will pave the way for when we do build the high-speed rail, that will be along a different route,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Neither the Premier nor Minister Dreeshen had a specific timeline for breaking ground on the high-speed rail link between the two major cities.<\/p>\n

Chris Dinsdale, president and CEO of Calgary Airports, said that he\u2019s been gratified by the level of engagement they\u2019ve had with the Government of Alberta on the rail connection.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re ready to get this moving. Calgary Airport\u2019s sole role is to serve Albertans. They\u2019re our shareholders, and providing reliable, convenient access to Calgary Airport is critical, ensuring we meet their needs,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn this first step of railway to the downtown, YYC will ensure Albertans and Calgarians have easy access to the airport, while also providing the same accessibility to visitors and business travelers as they visit our incredible city and region.\u201d<\/p>\n

Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas, who was in Edmonton for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities meetings, issued a statement Friday afternoon.<\/p>\n

He said that for decades people have talked about connecting downtown Calgary, the airport and the Bow Valley corridor by rail.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith the province advancing its Passenger Rail Master Plan, that vision is moving closer to reality,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cA modern passenger rail network would strengthen tourism, support economic growth, create jobs, reduce pressure on our transportation network, and better connect our region.\u201d<\/p>\n

Farkas also said that with Calgary consistently one of Canada\u2019s fastest growing cities, important to have infrastructure that matches the city\u2019s needs.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis announcement makes it even more important to accelerate the Prairie Economic Gateway, complete the Green Line, and advance rapid transit connections to the airport,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cTogether, these initiatives will strengthen Calgary\u2019s role as Western Canada\u2019s transportation and logistics hub while improving how people and goods move throughout the region.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

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