The Evolving Saga of Calgary’s Green Line LRT: A Timeline of Plans, Revisions, and Uncertainties
The Green Line Light Rail Transit (LRT) project in Calgary has been a long and complex undertaking, marked by shifting plans, escalating costs, and ongoing negotiations between the city and the provincial government. The project’s future remains uncertain as Calgary’s city council prepares to make crucial decisions in the coming year. The current debate centers on a revised alignment proposed by the Government of Alberta, which significantly alters the original vision for the Green Line, including a controversial shift from a downtown tunnel to an elevated track. This change, along with other modifications, has reignited discussions about the project’s financial viability and potential legal ramifications for the city.
The Green Line’s journey began with much fanfare in 2015 when then-federal minister Jason Kenney presented a cheque to then-mayor Naheed Nenshi, marking the start of what was envisioned as a transformative transit project for Calgary. Initially, the Green Line was planned to span a significant portion of the city, connecting communities from the north to the south. However, as the project progressed, cost estimates soared, reaching a staggering $6.2 billion. This prompted a reassessment of the project’s scope, leading to a truncated version focusing on the segment from Eau Claire to Lynwood/Millican. Even with this reduced scope, the plan still incorporated a downtown tunnel, a feature now being challenged by the province’s revised proposal.
In September of the preceding year, Calgary’s city council made the difficult decision to wind down the existing Green Line project due to the ballooning costs. However, recognizing the importance of certain segments and ongoing contracts, the city negotiated with the province to preserve some aspects of the project. These negotiations have led to the current juncture where the province has put forth a revised alignment, significantly altering the project’s trajectory and design. This new proposal, which includes an elevated track through the downtown core, has become a central point of contention between the city and the province.
The provincial government, under Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen, has made it clear that their financial contribution to the Green Line is contingent on the city council’s approval of the revised plan. This ultimatum places significant pressure on the council to accept the province’s proposal, even though it deviates considerably from the city’s original vision for the Green Line. The city now faces the dilemma of choosing between accepting a modified project with guaranteed provincial funding or holding onto their initial vision while risking the loss of provincial support.
The revised alignment proposed by the province introduces several key changes to the Green Line project. Most notably, it replaces the planned downtown tunnel with an elevated track. This change has sparked considerable debate, with proponents arguing that it is a more cost-effective solution while opponents express concerns about its aesthetic impact on the downtown core and potential disruptions to businesses and residents. The province’s plan also envisions an at-grade track from Shepard in the southeast to 7 Avenue S.W., further altering the project’s original design.
The decision facing Calgary’s city council is complex and multifaceted. While the province’s offer of funding is enticing, accepting the revised plan means compromising on the city’s original vision for the Green Line. The council must carefully weigh the financial benefits against the potential downsides of the revised alignment, including the aesthetic and practical implications of an elevated downtown track. They must also consider the legal ramifications of accepting a plan that significantly deviates from existing contracts and agreements. The future of the Green Line, a project decades in the making, hangs in the balance as the city grapples with these complex considerations. The final decision will have a profound impact on Calgary’s transit system and the city’s overall development for years to come. The ongoing negotiations and upcoming council decision represent a critical turning point in the Green Line saga, with the potential to reshape the project’s trajectory and ultimately determine its fate.
