Alberta to Seek Proposals for High-Speed Rail Linking Major Cities

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Alberta's government is set to initiate a request for proposals for a high-speed rail connecting Edmonton, Red Deer, and Calgary, with a proponent selection expected by April 2027.

CALGARY, ALTA. — The Alberta government is gearing up to issue a formal request this fall for private firms to submit proposals for a high-speed rail system intended to link the cities of Edmonton, Red Deer, and Calgary. Premier Danielle Smith announced that the federal government, led by Prime Minister Mark Carney, has agreed to forward the project to its major projects office once a proponent is chosen. The selection of the proponent is anticipated to be completed by April 2027. Emergency Management Minister Eleanor Olszewski, who represents an Edmonton riding, stated that Ottawa is ready to collaborate with Alberta on this initiative. This collaboration will involve engaging with Indigenous communities, local municipalities, and the general public to assess the costs, advantages, and impacts of the proposed high-speed rail service. Smith emphasized that the railway would also include stops at Alberta's two largest airports, enhancing connectivity across the region. "Statistics Canada’s most recent population data indicates that Alberta’s population is expanding at a rate faster than any other province, with the Calgary, Red Deer, and Edmonton area housing approximately 80 percent of Alberta’s residents," Smith remarked during a news conference in Calgary on Monday. "This growing demand underscores the urgent need for modern transportation infrastructure to facilitate the efficient movement of people and services." The federal government established the Calgary-based major projects office last year to expedite infrastructure projects deemed essential for national interests, indicating the significance of this high-speed rail initiative.

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