Province says federal government approves Green Line funding, construction to proceedon March 18, 2025 at 11:33 pm

Ottawa has agreed to pay its $1.53-billion share of the Green Line LRT funding, which means construction can proceed with the much-delayed project, the provincial government said Tuesday. Read More

The city will immediately begin work on the planning and design for the downtown segment based on the province’s alignment, said Transportation and Economic Corridors Minister Devin Dreeshen

Empty lot in Inglewood where there may be a future Inglewood Station for the Green Line — A Green Line development sign marks an empty lot in Ramsay. Gavin Young/Postmedia

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Ottawa has agreed to pay its $1.53-billion share of the Green Line LRT funding, which means construction can proceed with the much-delayed project, the provincial government said Tuesday.

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But despite the feds’ approval of the revised business plan for the project, concerns remain among city council over its controversial downtown alignment — an elevated track down 10th Avenue and up 2nd Street S.W. — and the city’s ability to pay for it.

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But in a press release issued late Tuesday afternoon, Transportation and Economic Corridors Minister Devin Dreeshen hailed the development as a major watershed assured of benefitting Calgarians.

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“This approval ensures the matching federal funding commitment of $1.53 billion for this critical project and that construction can finally begin after a decade of delay since 2015,” Dreeshen said in a statement.

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“The new Green Line alignment saves more than a billion dollars in tunnelling costs with an elevated alignment through downtown and enables the city to add five more stations, increase the length by 76 per cent, and serve 60 per cent more commuters.”

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The city will immediately begin work on the planning and design for the downtown segment based on the province’s alignment, with that task expected to be finished next year followed by construction on that portion starting in 2027, said the minister.

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“We are pleased to work in collaboration with the City of Calgary in helping to bring forward a project that is in the best interest of Calgary commuters and Alberta taxpayers,” added Dreeshen.

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Tenders for construction for the phase to go as far south as Shepard will go out this spring, he said.

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Devin Dreeshen, Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors, speaks at a press conference in Calgary on Monday, April 29, 2024. Brent Calver/Postmedia file

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Concerns raised with elevated line, costs

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The city disputes the cost-savings claim, saying the UCP’s proposal doesn’t include $1.3 billion in known costs or risks.

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And numerous stakeholders in the downtown, Beltline and construction sectors are vehemently opposed to the elevated alignment plan first unveiled Dec. 13, citing concerns over noise, shadowing, sight lines and market value and retail impacts, with some calling it “reckless.”

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There are also concerns about how the line would intersect with the CPKC railway tracks that run the length of the downtown between 9th and 10th Avenues.

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When contacted about the federal approval, Ward 3 Coun. Jasmine Mian said the news was sprung on council and reflected what she called the backhanded way the province has treated the city throughout the Green Line saga.