The Alberta government has announced a revised plan for Calgary’s Green Line transit project, aiming to extend the line farther south while saving over $1 billion in costs and increasing ridership without exceeding the original budget. The updated alignment proposal follows a review conducted by engineering firm AECOM, which was commissioned by the province in July to explore a more cost-effective route through Calgary’s downtown core.“This new Green Line route saves more than a billion dollars in tunnelling costs,” said Devin Dreeshen, Alberta’s Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors. “This alignment adds five more stops, will be 76% longer, and will serve 60% more Calgarians — all within the same budget. The ball is now in Calgary city council's court to approve this alignment and to finally start construction on the Green Line in the new year."Key Features of the Revised PlanSavings: The proposed route eliminates the need for extensive underground tunneling, opting instead for an elevated track through downtown, reducing costs by over $1 billion.Extended Reach: The new alignment connects 7th Ave. to Shepard, serving more southeast Calgary communities than initially planned.Ridership Increase: The elevated route integrates with Calgary’s Red and Blue transit lines and the new Event Centre, increasing ridership by 60% compared to the previously approved alignment.Economic Efficiency: The route’s downtown segment is shortened from 2.9 km to 2.3 km, with tracks elevated rather than underground.The plan revisits the original business case for the Green Line, which was approved in June 2021. Calgary city council had earlier approved a $6.2-billion plan focusing on a tunnel through downtown that would have reduced the project’s reach and ridership by 40%. The revised elevated alignment addresses these concerns while staying within the same budget.AECOM’s evaluation of the elevated downtown route considered its impact on existing transit lines, downtown infrastructure, and operational efficiency, alongside local considerations such as interactions with rail lines and pedestrian networks.The proposal now awaits approval from Calgary city council. If endorsed, construction could begin in the new year, marking a significant step forward for one of Calgary’s largest transit projects.
