Moving forward! Surface route for Downtown approved

Today, the Executive Committee of Council decisively agreed on 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 at 10 Avenue and 2 Street SW, this critical decision allows for design, planning and procurement to begin, concurrent to targeted engagement with property and business owners along 10 Avenue S.

With construction well underway on the SE Project, from Shepard to the Event Centre/Grand Central Station, and after more than a decade of design and debate, today’s decision marks the final step needed to deliver Phase 1 of the Green Line LRT Program for Calgarians, building the backbone of an overall 46-kilometre vision.

More information on the Downtown Segment route and a link to the report can be found on the ​Downtown Segment​ web page.

Start building and keep building

The Executive Committee recommended that planning work be updated and budget estimates developed on the south extension from Shepard to Seton. They also recommended that north corridor planning and design activities and estimated budget development move forward. This will shift the focus from building sequentially from south to north and allow work to progress as funding becomes available.

Additionally, they directed us to bring forward capital cost estimates for the full build-out of the MAX Green Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line from Keystone Hills to Downtown. Included in this work is a report back on the planning work required to define a downtown BRT Loop/Station and develop future capital cost estimates.

We will return to Executive Committee on November 3 with updates on the planning and design activities for the southeast extension and north corridor, and the MAX Green BRT work.

As we approach becoming a city of two million people, the Green Line LRT remains a critical long-term investment in much needed transit infrastructure for the City of Calgary. With $6.248 billion in funding from the City of Calgary, Province of Alberta, and Government of Canada, and $1.8 billion spent to date on construction, vehicles, land and engineering/design, the Green Line demonstrates the power of all three orders of government collaborating to build Calgary’s best future.