The Alberta government has introduced a 15-year Passenger Rail Master Plan aimed at enhancing passenger rail service in the province. This plan includes various components such as connecting Calgary and Edmonton to their respective international airports, regional rail lines to national parks, a hub connecting the provincial rail system to LRT systems, and a rail line between Grande Prairie and Fort McMurray. Premier Danielle Smith stated that with increased population growth and congested highways, it is time to move forward with expanding rail services in Alberta. This marks a change from a 2014 report that advised against investing in a high-speed rail system between Edmonton and Calgary due to insufficient population numbers in the corridor.
The Passenger Rail Master Plan will evaluate the feasibility of various passenger rail services in Alberta, including regional, commuter, and high-speed options. It will also look at long-term planning to determine concrete actions needed to establish the optimal passenger rail system for the province. A Crown corporation similar to Metrolinx in Ontario will be established to oversee infrastructure development, daily operations, and future expansion. Construction on the rail projects could potentially begin in 2027, with a focus on conducting thorough feasibility studies and cost analyses before committing to specific projects.
David Cooper, founder of Leading Mobility, emphasized the significance of Monday’s announcement, noting that the province has been discussing a rail line between Edmonton and Calgary for a while. He highlighted the importance of assessing feasibility and prioritizing projects to ensure successful completion within a reasonable timeframe. Former MLA Donna Kennedy-Glans expressed gratitude for the structured approach of the Passenger Rail Master Plan, emphasizing the need for a cohesive strategy instead of piecemeal ideas. She stressed the importance of prioritizing the Edmonton-Calgary rail corridor, as traffic congestion along Highway 2 poses significant challenges.
There is a call for the province to advance the proposed rail corridor between Calgary and Banff in parallel with the masterplan studies to secure necessary funding for the project. Jan Waterous, a managing partner of Liricon, a private company involved in the proposal, outlined the need for expediency in advancing the rail line to access infrastructure financing and begin construction as early as 2027. The focus is on aligning project development with the overall master plan to ensure timely implementation. The province’s interest in rail expansion is seen as a positive step towards addressing transportation challenges and improving connectivity within Alberta.
Overall, the Alberta government’s initiative to develop a Passenger Rail Master Plan signifies a shift towards prioritizing rail transportation as a solution to increasing population and congested highways. By evaluating feasibility, conducting cost-benefit analyses, and establishing a structured approach to project development, the province aims to enhance passenger rail services across various regions. Stakeholders, including former officials and private companies, support the plan and advocate for strategic prioritization of projects to address pressing transportation needs. The focus is on efficient planning, securing funding, and timely execution to realize the vision of an optimized passenger rail system in Alberta.
