Downtown Segment
Project update: September 22, 2026
Today, Council approved a surface alignment for the Downtown Segment of the Green Line LRT. Leveraging the design and functionality of the new fleet of low-floor vehicles to connect the Event Centre/Grand Central Station to an at-grade station on 10 Avenue near 2 Street SW, this critical decision allows design and planning to begin, concurrent to continued work with businesses and property owners along 10 Avenue S.
On September 8, 2026, Executive Committee approved additional recommendations to continue momentum on planning and designing future extensions of the Green Line. These updates can be found on the Expanding South, Expanding North and MAX Green Line BRT web pages. We will return to Executive Committee on November 3 with the budget requirements to advance planning and design work for the south and north extensions, and information on the MAX Green BRT program, including capital cost estimates.
With construction underway in the southeast, from Shepard to the Event Centre/Grand Central Station, today’s decision marks the final step needed to connect Phase 1 of the Green Line LRT to downtown.
For more information, the full report and attachments are available online.
More about the route
The Downtown Segment of the Green Line LRT will travel at-grade along 10 Avenue S, from the Event Centre/Grand Central Station to a new station on 10 Avenue near 2 Street SW. The concept approved by Council envisions the LRT running on the surface of 10 Avenue S while maintaining motor vehicle access.
As design work progresses over the next year, the final arrangement of LRT infrastructure and motor vehicle traffic within the corridor will be determined. A new pedestrian access connected to the station will bring transit riders directly into the Plus 15 network to connect to the Red and Blue lines, four MAX BRT lines and downtown office towers. The pedestrian underpass at 1 Street SW will also be improved to maximize the experience for those walking, cycling and scooting to and from the station area.
As construction continues on the SE Segment, from Shepard to the Event Centre/Grand Central Station, work is concurrently moving forward on planning and design for the Downtown Segment.
The topics being studied include:
- Design for the LRT tracks, station concepts and locations
- Public realm, streetscape and mobility plan for 10 Ave. S
- How the Green Line will connect to the Plus 15 network
Where possible, feedback received during engagement will be used to advance the design and recommendations for the Downtown Segment.
FAQ
About the Downtown Segment
Where will the Downtown Segment travel through downtown?
On September 22, 2026, Council approved a route that will travel at-grade on 10 Avenue S. It will start at the Event Centre Station/Grand Central Station and end at a new station on 10 Avenue near 2 Street SW.
The concept Council approved places the LRT in the center of 10 Avenue S while also accommodating vehicle access along the road. As design work progresses, further analysis will determine the final roadway and traffic lane configuration.
Where will the Downtown station be on 10 Avenue S?
A new station will be located on 10 Avenue S near 2 Street SW. The exact location will be determined through the design process, with details to follow.
How will Green Line LRT riders connect to the existing Red and Blue Lines?
Riders can connect to the 1 Street SW Station by walking about 5 minutes north along 1 Street SW or through the Plus 15 Network.
How will the Green Line LRT cross the CPKC tracks to connect into downtown?
How Green Line will connect further into downtown will be determined in a future phase of the Green Line Program.
How will the Green Line LRT cross Macleod Trail? Will it be elevated above Macleod Trail?
The Green Line will cross Macleod Trail at-grade on 10 Avenue S.
How will 2 Street SW Station connect to the Plus 15 network?
A new connection from the 2 Street SW Station into the Plus 15 network will be built. The details will be part of the next phase of design.
Why is the Green Line LRT no longer planned to run through a tunnel downtown?
A tunnel is not supported by the Government of Alberta and an option without it is a requirement of their funding. To address their concerns, further study, engagement and evaluation of alternatives, Council approved an at-grade alignment along 10 Avenue S. from the Event Centre/Grand Central Station to 2 Street SW on September 22, 2026.
Funding
Will The City seek additional funding from the Federal Government to build a downtown tunnel?
No. As the approved Downtown Segment does not include a tunnel, The City is not currently seeking additional funding beyond the commitments already in place from the Provincial and Federal Governments for Phase 1 of the Green Line.
Trains and safety
Will freight trains on the CPKC tracks affect Green Line LRT operations downtown?
No. The Green Line will run parallel to the CPKC tracks and will not cross them. As a result, freight train operations will not impact Green Line service or cause delays.
How will trains, people driving and walking and parking fit within the available space on 10 Avenue S?
The Downtown Segment of the Green Line will travel at-grade along 10 Avenue S, from the Event Centre/Grand Central Station to 2 Street SW. The concept presented to Council places the LRT in the center of 10 Avenue S while accommodating access for people driving and walking along the corridor. As design work progresses, further analysis will determine the final roadway and traffic lane configuration.
How will you prevent accidents between people driving and walking along 10 Avenue S and the trains?
How people will drive, walk and wheel through the area will be considered as part of the design process.
Will Green Line trains receive traffic signal priority along 10 Avenue S?
Traffic signal operations along 10 Avenue S will be determined through future design work. As part of that work, we will assess how traffic signals can best balance the safe and efficient movement of Green Line trains and people driving, walking and wheeling. Decisions about traffic signal priority have not yet been made.
How is safety being incorporated into the design of the Green Line Downtown Segment?
Safety is a key consideration throughout the design process. The Green Line will be designed using lessons learned from Calgary's existing LRT system, feedback from Calgarians, and industry best practices.
This includes designing stations and surrounding areas with clear sightlines, good lighting, visible signage and easy-to-navigate spaces. The project team will also consider how station layouts, pedestrian routes, landscaping and nearby development can support safety by creating active, well-used public spaces.
Feedback from Calgarians about personal safety, comfort and visibility will continue to inform design decisions as the project moves forward.
How will noise from Green Line train be managed?
As part of the design process, a noise study will be completed to assess the noise levels associated with Green Line operations. The results of this study will help determine where and what type of noise mitigation measures may be needed.
How will vibration from Green Line trains be managed?
Potential vibration impacts will be evaluated during the design process. Where needed, industry best practices and proven mitigation measures will be incorporated into the design to help reduce vibration from Green Line trains.
Future plans
Why can’t you wait until we have funding to build a deep tunnel through downtown?
We have a funding agreement in place with the Provincial and Federal Governments to deliver Phase 1 of the Green Line. The Provincial Government will not provide funding for a tunnel.
Can The City build the train to the airport instead of connecting Green Line with downtown?
Separate from Green Line, planning is underway to extend the Blue Line LRT north from Saddletowne Station to a new station at 88 Avenue and 60 Street NE. This extension will provide a future connection to Calgary International Airport.
In parallel, The City is undertaking the Airport Transit Connection project, which will determine how to connect the Blue Line in the Northeast to the Calgary International Airport.
Is the 2 Street SW Station the final downtown destination for Green Line?
Currently, this is the last planned station for Green Line downtown. Any additional stations downtown will be identified through future planning and design work.
How will the Downtown Segment connect to the future north corridor of Green Line LRT?
How the Downtown Segment and north corridor of the Green Line LRT will connect will be determined through a future functional planning study.
When will planning and design work begin for the north corridor of the Green Line LRT?
Council must approve the budget before planning and design work for the north corridor of Green Line can begin. An estimated budget for this work will be presented to the Executive Committee of Council on November 3, 2026.
What’s happening at Eau Claire?
Council approved advancing work on LRT planning from North Central Calgary to Eau Claire. As that work progresses, we will keep Calgarians updated.
Construction
When will construction begin on the Downtown Segment?
Detailed design and procurement must be completed before construction can begin. Construction timelines will be confirmed as the project progresses.
How will access to buildings and parking be maintained during construction of the Downtown Segment?
Maintaining access to buildings, businesses and parking will be an important consideration during the design and construction planning process. While construction impacts have not yet been determined, potential impacts to building and parking access will be identified through detailed design. Plans and mitigation measures will be developed before construction begins to help maintain access wherever possible.
How will construction noise and vibration be managed during construction of the Downtown Segment?
Potential noise and vibration impacts are being assessed as part of the ongoing design process. Mitigation measures will be developed before construction begins to reduce impacts wherever possible.
The History of the Downtown Segment
Since the mid-1980s, we’ve been considering a Light Rail Transit (LRT) line in southeast Calgary. However, planning for today’s Green Line began in 2011. The goal of the project was, and still is, to improve mobility, reliability and connectivity for tens of thousands of new and existing daily transit riders.
Between 2011 and 2021, a lot of research and initial technical work was done. Many options for where the train may travel downtown were considered and explored. Not all the options could move forward, for a variety of reasons.
In 2021, the Government of Alberta and the Government of Canada approved funding for Phase 1 of the Green Line LRT Program. As part of Phase 1, Council approved the Green Line LRT Downtown Segment, a deep tunnel downtown that travelled from 4 Street SE to Eau Claire. It connected to four underground stations.
As the design work for the Green Line LRT Downtown Segment progressed, cost risks were identified. Due to these risks, Council approved a shorter route for Phase 1. This route included the deep tunnel for the Downtown Segment and the SE Segment ended at the Lynnwood/Millican Station. It also deferred the Centre Street Station for a future phase. This change lowered the expected daily ridership numbers from 55,000 to 32,000.
In September 2024, the Government of Alberta shared concerns with the shortened route for Phase 1. Their concerns included lower ridership projections, and the risk and costs of a deep tunnel downtown. To avoid these trade-offs, the Province appointed a consultant to develop an alternative route for the Green Line LRT Downtown Segment.
During this time, we came to an agreement with the Province to continue advancing work on the Green Line LRT – SE Project, as the Province’s consultant developed an alternative for the Green Line LRT Downtown Segment.
In December 2024 the Government of Alberta released their report for the Baseline Elevated Concept for the Green Line LRT Downtown Segment. Within this report, the recommended route travels from the Event Centre Station along 10 Avenue S and north on 2 Street SW to 7 Avenue S.
Using the Baseline Elevated Concept, Council directed us to undertake a functional plan for the Green Line LRT Downtown Segment in January 2025. The first phase of engagement for the plan took place in February and March 2026. We also undertook a research program to gauge the level of public support and understand perspectives on the elevated Downtown Segment in April 2026.