Alberta high-speed rail development

The Canadian federal government and the Government of Alberta have initiated plans to study and develop a high-speed rail network in Alberta, specifically targeting the Calgary–Red Deer–Edmonton corridor.

Initial developments included a collaborative study between federal and provincial authorities to explore market feasibility and implementation possibilities. This was accompanied by a broader federal investment of 4.7 billion dollars to modernize Canada’s passenger rail fleet by manufacturing 313 new rail cars.

Following these studies, the Alberta government announced it will seek private sector proposals this fall to develop the high-speed line. The project, a key part of the Alberta Passenger Rail Master Plan, aims to connect major urban centers and international airports, potentially reducing travel times between Calgary and Edmonton to under two hours. The province intends to launch a request for proposals with the goal of selecting a proponent by April 2027, seeking a model that requires minimal provincial funding. The federal government has pledged to assist through its Major Projects Office once a private partner is chosen.

Premier Danielle Smith stated that the project aims to address rapid population growth in the corridor, which houses approximately 80 per cent of the province's population. The proposed service would include stops in Airdrie and Alberta’s two major international airports. Future development stages will involve consultations with Indigenous communities, municipalities, and the public to assess costs and benefits.