Calgary city council recently voted to wind down the Green Line LRT project, but discussions between the city and the provincial government have resumed regarding the future of the project. Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek, along with city administration, met with Premier Danielle Smith, Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen, and other provincial officials. This meeting was described as productive by both sides, with the mayor estimating that preserving existing contracts could save millions in costs and up to 700 jobs. Keeping these contracts would allow for continuity in the project and prevent delays that would come with starting from scratch.
The Government of Alberta has hired engineering firm AECOM to find alternate alignments for the Green Line by the end of the year. The new alignments would aim to run the LRT at-grade from the downtown core to Seton in the city’s southeast within the project’s $6.2 billion budget. Mayor Gondek stated that the province has committed to reviewing the city’s existing contracts, which was previously rejected twice. Both parties are now focused on delivering a cost-effective and quick solution that does not compromise the rider experience or the original vision for the Green Line from north to south.
The Green Line project faced uncertainty after a letter from Minister Dreeshen to Mayor Gondek stated that the province would pull its $1.53 billion in funding unless the city altered and extended the line’s route. This came after the city council had to shorten the line to Lynwood/Millican, remove six stations, and increase the city’s share of funding by $705 million due to escalating costs. The costs to wind down the project are estimated to be at least $850 million for the city, including money already spent. The provincial government has indicated that it will not help with these costs, and the city will be responsible for overseeing construction of the future LRT line.
Both city and provincial officials are currently reviewing existing contracts, with more information expected in the coming days. Time is of the essence, as decisions on these contracts need to be made quickly. The meeting between Mayor Gondek and provincial officials marked a positive step forward in salvaging the Green Line project and working collaboratively to find a solution. The focus is on reaching an agreement that is both cost-effective and efficient while upholding the original vision for the project. The actions taken in the coming days will determine the fate of the Green Line LRT and its future in Calgary.
