The Government of Alberta announced that Edmonton and Calgary will be connected by rail to major tourism and economic hubs in a 15-year plan to expand transportation options for Albertans and visitors to the province.
Premier Danielle Smith announced the passenger rail master plan on April 29, which included a Crown corporation to operate like Ontario’s Metrolinx to develop rail infrastructure, oversee daily operations, collect fares and provide bookings, and plan for future expansion.
Among the destinations included in the announcement would be from Calgary to Edmonton, a connector to the Calgary International Airport, and Calgary to Banff.
“We want to build stronger connections along Alberta’s busiest corridor and to Alberta’s top tourist destination,” the Premier stated.
Premier Smith said that the province had to step in to create a master plan for rail travel in the province, because of all of the different stakeholders involved.
The province had received multiple unsolicited proposals for rail and transportation networks in the province, including that of a Hyperloop between Calgary and Edmonton acccoring to the Premier.
She said that a feasibility study would scope out the cost of the rail system, and compare the potential billions in development costs to that of creating six, eight, and 10-lane highways in the province.
Devin Dreeshen, Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors, said that analysis would look at the transportation needs well into the next decade.
Other connected cities would include Grande Prairie, Fort McMurray, and other southern Alberta communities.
Under the province’s 2024 budget, $9 million was set aside to create a rail master plan.
Speaking on the feasibility of a province-wide rail project, Premier Smith pointed to the population sizes of Ontario cities when commuter rail service was introduced in that province.
Construction would still be at least several years away from starting according to Devin Dreshhen, Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors.
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