Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek met with provincial representatives to discuss the future of the Green Line LRT project, as the city explores potentially halting the project and transferring its responsibility to the Government of Alberta. The province had pulled its $1.53 billion in funding for the project after council decided to shorten the first phase of the line due to a significant budget increase. Gondek explained the council’s decision and the potential consequences of shutting down the project at the meeting, with more information expected to be shared during a city council meeting on Sept. 17.
The province confirmed that they do not wish to revisit the original alignment of the Green Line and are actively pursuing engineering expertise to design an above ground alignment by the end of the year. Mayor Gondek expressed a desire to bring a north-south spine to the city by building the more difficult section first and encouraged the province to reconsider their decision. There are concerns about the effect of the situation on market confidence in Calgary, with fears that the funding withdrawal could set a concerning precedent for future infrastructure projects by introducing uncertainty and risk for investors and builders.
The Calgary Construction Association (CCA) has also expressed concerns about the impact of the province’s funding withdrawal on the Green Line project. The CCA believes that the uncertainty and increased risk could lead to higher costs for builders and ultimately discourage participation in projects. Despite these concerns, CCA president Bill Black remains confident that the Green Line can be salvaged and emphasizes the importance of focusing on what is best for Calgarians. However, Black also noted that the ongoing issues with the project could lead to increased costs and premiums being applied to future infrastructure projects.
Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen stated that the province is confident there will not be any damage to Calgary’s reputation within the construction industry, despite the challenges facing the Green Line project. Dreeshen blamed former Calgary mayor and current NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi for mismanagement of the project. The province is working on developing alternative options for the Green Line and is encouraging a reconsideration of the decision to withdraw funding. The goal is to salvage the project and address concerns about market confidence in Calgary.
There is a call for collaboration between the city and the province to find a solution that benefits all parties involved and ensures the successful completion of the Green Line LRT project. Both Mayor Gondek and CCA president Bill Black emphasize the importance of focusing on the needs of Calgarians and the broader impact of the project on the city. Despite the challenges and uncertainties surrounding the project, there is optimism that a resolution can be reached to salvage the Green Line and restore confidence in Calgary’s infrastructure projects. The fate of the Green Line LRT project will likely be determined in the coming weeks as more information is shared and decisions are made at the city council level.
