CANADIAN prime minister, Mr Justin Trudeau, has reaffirmed the government’s investment of $C 1.53bn ($US 1.22bn) in Calgary’s Green Line Light Rail Transit (LRT) Project, making good on the commitment announced in May 2018 to fund Calgary’s largest ever infrastructure project.

In addition to the federal government, the province of Alberta and the city of Calgary are contributing $C 1.53bn and $C 1.59bn to the project, respectively. Calgary was required to submit a revised business case to the provincial and federal governments after revising the alignment of the Green Line LRT in June 2020.

The review was prompted by concerns that the project would exceed the $C 4.9bn budgeted cost by 10%. Among the changes are alterations to the alignment to enable more at-grade operation, revisions to the bridge over the Bow River, and shallower underground stations, all of which have reduced the projected cost and the risk of the project.

At the same time, the provincial government launched a comprehensive review of the project to ensure it was technically and financially sound. The recommendations of the provincial review were shared with Calgary in autumn 2020. The city addressed the recommendations in the business case that was submitted to the province in late May, and subsequently submitted to the federal government on June 24. The federal government says it will work to ensure the review is completed as fast as possible.

The project is divided into two phases:

• Phase 1: 18km of LRT from Shepard (126 Avenue S.E.) to Eau Claire, connecting the southeast to downtown and into the existing Red/Blue lines. This phase includes bus rapid transit improvements along Centre Street to 160 Avenue, and a Maintenance and Facility Station at Shepard. In May 2021, PCL Construction Management was selected as construction manager for utility relocation. Construction is anticipated to begin in autumn 2021 and take two to three years to complete.

• Phase 2: 2km of LRT from Eau Claire to 16 Avenue North.

The new line will deploy low-floor LRVs for the first time in Calgary, which will offer improved access to passengers.

“By investing in smart public transit projects, we’re reducing gridlock, helping more Calgarians get to and from work, creating good middle class jobs, growing the economy, and fighting climate change,” Trudeau says. “As we set the course for an inclusive recovery from Covid‑19, we will keep focusing on laying the foundations for long-term, sustainable growth to create a Canada that is cleaner, more competitive, and more resilient for generations to come.”

“Alberta’s CC $1.53 billion commitment toward the Green Line is a massive investment in the future of Calgary, one we are happy to make, because we believe our best days are ahead of us,” says Mr Ric McIver, Alberta’s minister of transportation.

“I’m grateful for the hard work done by the technical experts at the province and the city to make the Green Line a functional project that connects to the rest of the LRT network. I am confident that the Green Line is in a stronger, more certain position today, and is in the capable hands of an experienced project team who can take this important project forward.”

For detailed data on metro projects from around the world, subscribe to IRJ Pro.