Calgary city council has given the green light for the progression of the Green Line project, aiming to chart a route for the train to enter the downtown area. The council’s 12-2 vote endorsed a design that will bring the train along 10th Avenue S.W. on street-level tracks, with a new station planned between First and Second Street S.W. in the Beltline area. The specific path through downtown still requires finalization by the city.
Presented earlier this month, three options were deliberated by councillors for the Green Line’s downtown route. Options 1 and 2 proposed elevated tracks through downtown, potentially exceeding the budget by $1 billion or $500 million, respectively. The chosen street-level alignment, approved for its cost-effectiveness, is expected to have an initial ridership of 41,000 daily.
Mayor Jeromy Farkas emphasized the urgency to proceed with the Green Line project to expand Calgary’s transit network. The upcoming focus will be on planning the extension of the train northward and crossing the Bow River.
The Green Line, with a budget of $6.25 billion, represents the largest infrastructure investment in Calgary’s history. Despite concerns raised by some councillors, including Raj Dhaliwal and Jennifer Wyness, about the alignment’s feasibility and lack of concrete financial details, the approved plan aims to provide flexibility for potential future expansions.
Construction on the southeast leg of the Green Line commenced last year, featuring 10 stations from Shepard to the new arena near Victoria Park. The long-term objective is to establish a 46-km track with 29 stations from Seton to 160th Avenue in north Calgary. The project has faced significant challenges and revisions over the past two decades but is now set to progress with the approved downtown alignment.