Third-party research led by Stone Olafson was undertaken earlier this year to gauge the level of support and understand Calgarians\u2019 perspectives on an overhead downtown segment, which is the provincial government\u2019s preference<\/a>.<\/p>\n A public survey of 1,250 Calgarians indicated 65 per cent of respondents are supportive of an elevated alignment through downtown. Proponents cited the Green Line\u2019s importance as a city-building project and becoming a key part of the transit network.<\/p>\n Eighteen per cent of respondents had a negative impression to some degree of the elevated concept, while 26 per cent of respondents who live downtown were against the proposed overhead track, the survey found.<\/p>\n The survey included Calgarians from across the city, though downtown residents were oversampled.<\/p>\n \u201cPerceptions of the elevated route are generally positive across Calgary, but downtown residents in particular hold stronger reservations,\u201d Stone Olafson stated.<\/p>\n However, the report indicates that in one-on-one interviews, businesses and property owners along the proposed route expressed much more steadfast opposition, with more than 80 per cent against the concept of an aboveground LRT.<\/p>\n The site of the proposed elevated Green Line on 2nd Street between 7th and 9th Avenues S.W. in Calgary on Sunday, June 7, 2026.<\/p>\n Although support for expanding Calgary\u2019s transit network remains high among directly impacted stakeholders, 83 per cent had a negative impression of the baseline elevated alignment, the report says.<\/p>\n \u201cWhile participants expressed support for the Green Line overall, the elevated concept drew strong opposition, with many urging reconsideration of an underground tunnel or alternative options,\u201d the report states.<\/p>\n Key concerns included impacts to downtown vibrancy, property values, safety, noise, shadowing and long-term city-building goals.<\/p>\n \u201cParticipants recommended that the city reconsider a tunnel instead of the proposed elevated concept with some suggesting that the downtown segment should be canceled entirely if an underground route was not a viable option,\u201d it states.<\/p>\n Councillor looks to suggest alternative alignment<\/p>\n The findings of the public engagement are not necessarily surprising, said Ward 8 Coun. Nathaniel Schmidt, whose ward encompasses the Beltline.<\/p>\n He said it shows Calgarians, above all, just want the project to proceed in some capacity.<\/p>\n \u201cThey don\u2019t want to see it stop,\u201d Schmidt said. \u201cWhat they\u2019re telling us is we\u2019re between a rock and a hard place. We\u2019ve gotten to this point (of construction) but I still think this report reflects they want us to get it done right and for me, that still means the underground option downtown.\u201d<\/p>\n However, another councillor said the degree of public opposition suggests the project team should consider an alternative alignment.<\/p>\n \u201cNot too many people are that thrilled about going up 2nd Street,\u201d said Ward 13 Coun. Dan McLean.<\/p>\n He said he will bring an amendment to Tuesday\u2019s meeting that requests continued analysis of alternative routes for the downtown segment, including either 1st Street or MacLeod Trail.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m hoping it gets to a better scenario that is more favourable for the majority, because we\u2019re not there right now,\u201d McLean said.<\/p>\n \u201cRight now, nobody is happy.\u201d<\/p>\n Councillor Dan McLean during city hall council in Calgary on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025.<\/p>\n The elevated route the city is studying is based on a revised concept put forward by third-party consultant AECOM, whom the Alberta government commissioned in late 2024.<\/p>\n While he conceded that re-evaluating the downtown alignment would result in further delays, meaning additional cost escalations for a project that has already been mired in politics for more than a decade, McLean said that as Calgary\u2019s largest-ever infrastructure project, it\u2019s important to get the Green Line done properly.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re talking about ripping up downtown,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cThis isn\u2019t like we\u2019re pausing anything because downtown work wasn\u2019t scheduled to start for years down the road anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n City responsible for most of the cost, plus overruns<\/p>\n According to the city\u2019s report, a little over $1.74 billion has been spent on the Green Line project since 2015, while more than $2 billion has been committed.<\/p>\n A June 30 update to council will include updates on cost validations and an exploration of property value impacts, according to the report.<\/p>\n Construction of the southeast segment, stretching 16 kilometres from Shepard station to Victoria Park, broke ground in late June 2025<\/a>. Seven projects are currently underway, including foundational work on a maintenance and storage facility at the Shepard station, piling and road reconfiguration and an elevated guideway at 114th Avenue S.E. and Barlow Trail; and bridges over 78th Avenue and Blackfoot Trail. Crews are also realigning Ogden Road to accommodate the train\u2019s route.<\/p>\n![\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/3dc0166f59cc60d34127813f419cb834.jpeg\"\/)
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