Update: Green Line LRT
UPDATE 9/23/2024:
On September 17, 2024, due to the Province’s funding withdrawal, Council voted to shut down the Green Line project.
On September 3rd, 2024, Premier Smith and Minister Dreeshen pulled their commitment to funding for the Green Line.
The journey to this point has been long and inconsistent.
2015: former federal minister Jason Kenney and then-mayor Naheed Nenshi announce federal funding for 1/3 of the line.
2017: Calgary City Council approves Phase 1 of the line.
2019: Former Premier Rachel Notley signs on for provincial funding.
Following a provincial election that saw Jason Kenney become Premier, he delays the Green Line, requesting a business case that pushes the project two years - to 2021.
July 2024: Council agrees to cover a greater share of the Green Line costs. Minister Dreeshen and the province support this - calling it "100% secure" and telling Calgary we can "bank on it."
September 2024: Dreeshen announces that the Governement of Alberta is pulling funding for the Green Line.
July 2024:
I am pleased to support the advancement of the Green Line. Building a project in 2015 dollars, in very different post-pandemic markets, and through record inflation has been challenging, but the Green Line remains the backbone of Calgary’s best future.
When money was allocated to this project in 2015, it was a conceptual vision. Today, the project has advanced significantly into design with the contractors who are ready to build it. We are moving ahead with the most critical section of the line--- Eau Claire to Lynnwood/Millican-- within available funding from other orders of government including an additional 705 million dollar commitment from the City of Calgary.
The approved section of Phase 1 runs from Eau Claire to Lynnwood/Millican.
I am unwavering in my conviction that Green Line is a critical and necessary investment in our city. The project supports all of our housing, climate and economic goals, which are only becoming more important as we face record population growth in our city.
Why isn’t the Green Line going North?
In 2015, the previous Council voted to pursue the Green Line to the South first, as Phase 1. Phase 2 is envisioned to cross the river to 16th Ave.
Phase 1 and 2 of the Green Line.
For the vote that was in front of us, only Phase 1 was on the table due to the previous commitment by Council. It is absolutely a priority to build transit in North Calgary, but this vote was about the funding and scope of Phase 1.
Building the portion of the line that connects to the bottom leg of Phase 2 (Eau Claire) is in the best interest of North Calgary residents. One other alternative would have been to start building further south and not reach Eau Claire at all. Getting shovels in the ground on this crucial portion of the line is the best investment for the future of transit in Calgary.