Alberta is on the brink of transforming its transportation landscape with the Calgary Airport-Downtown Express (CADE) and Calgary Airport-Banff Rail (CABR) projects, which aim to connect Calgary International Airport to downtown Calgary and extend service westward to Banff.Backed by strong public support, federal policy changes, and innovative private-sector involvement, these rail initiatives promise to alleviate traffic congestion, boost tourism, and drive economic growth across the province.The Alberta government’s Passenger Rail Master Plan Update, released in late June 2025, highlights overwhelming public demand for passenger rail, with a resounding 91% of over 16,000 surveyed Albertans advocating for service by 2030.Of those surveyed, 60% emphasized affordability, and 75% believe the rail will enhance tourism and attract investment..The plan, informed by open houses and consultations with local residents and indigenous communities in March and April 2025, identifies the Calgary-Banff and Calgary-Edmonton corridors as priorities for a future province-wide rail network.Alberta’s population, currently at 4.8 million, is projected to more than double in the next 60 years, with 86% concentrated in the Calgary-Edmonton corridor.In 2024, over 20 million trips were recorded between Calgary and Edmonton — a figure expected to triple over the next six decades.With the province’s population growing by approximately 190,000 annually— equivalent to nearly twice the population of Red Deer — the need for sustainable transit solutions is urgent.“The most compelling opportunity from a national project perspective is that CABR and CADE connect the Stoney Nakoda First Nation, a popular provincial park in Kananaskis, and Banff — the Crown jewel of national parks — to Calgary’s downtown and [the international airport]," Bruce Graham, executive director of Friends of CABR, told the Western Standard,"The route will benefit First Nations, bring environmental benefits, and revitalize downtown Calgary.”.The recently passed Bill C-5 (Building Canada Act) fast-tracks infrastructure projects deemed in Canada’s national interest, shifting focus from whether projects should proceed to how they will be built.The Canada Infrastructure Bank has signalled support, viewing CABR as a sustainable, revenue-generating project.Graham believes that CADE and CABR meet the Act’s criteria, opening opportunities to accelerate construction through expedited approvals and investment.The Calgary Airport Rail Connection Study update, released in January 2025, outlined CADE as a seamless “one-seat ride” from Calgary International Airport to a proposed Grand Central Station in the Rivers District.CABR would extend service to Cochrane, Mînî Thnî (Kananaskis), Canmore, and Banff, fostering tourism and regional connectivity.Financed by Liricon Capital and Plenary Americas, CABR has secured an assignable Memorandum of Understanding with CPKC (Canadian Pacific Kansas City), enabling a public-private partnership (P3) model..Graham emphasized that this model would shift the risk of cost overruns to the private sector and not the taxpayer.A key figure behind the project is Adam Waterous, head of Waterous Energy Fund, which owns Liricon Capital, one of the primary financial backers of CABR.Waterous, a prominent Calgary-based investor and philanthropist, has been a strong advocate for sustainable infrastructure in Alberta.His vision for CABR includes integrating cutting-edge technology, such as hydrogen-powered trains, to align with global sustainability goals.In a recent pitch to Minister of Transport and Intergovernmental Affairs Chrystia Freeland during her visit to Banff in June, Waterous and Banff Town Manager Kelly Gibson highlighted the project’s potential as a Project of National Interest.Gibson told the Western Standard that Freeland expressed interest, noting the project’s alignment with addressing Banff’s visitation demand and traffic congestion..However, he revealed that the minister said provincial backing is the crucial first step for a Building Canada Act designation.The CABR project is exploring hydrogen-powered trains, a technology that could position Alberta as a leader in green transportation.These trains, which emit only water vapour, use hydrogen fuel cells to generate electricity, offering a zero-emission alternative to standard diesel-powered rail.Liricon Capital has partnered with leading clean energy firms to pilot this technology, aiming to reduce the environmental impact of the rail line while serving high-traffic tourist routes.If successful, this could set a precedent for hydrogen-powered rail across Canada and align with federal climate goals.Gibson emphasized the project’s urgency, stating, “Right now, we hit our traffic congestion threshold of 24,000 vehicles daily."We have traffic all the time. I can look out my window right now, and there are cars lined up on Main Street.”.He said this level of congestion, once limited to peak summer weekends, is now a daily occurrence.“If we can reduce the number of vehicles coming into our community, I think residents will be in favour of that,” Gibson added.The province faces a critical decision: conventional or high-speed rail.Conventional rail, using existing CPKC corridors, allows for more community stops and lower upfront costs but may attract fewer riders.High-speed rail, while more expensive and requiring longer construction timelines — which may extend beyond 2030 — promises faster service and a benefit-cost ratio exceeding 1, potentially drawing more passengers..Premier Danielle Smith has a window of opportunity to request federal designation of CADE and CABR as National Interest Projects under the Building Canada Act, unlocking expedited approvals and investment.“This project is really ready to go,” Gibson said. “The provincial study’s been done. The Town of Banff did a study in 2017."We’re hopeful it is selected and can be moved forward right away.”
