Photo source: Jeff White
In partnership with the Government of Alberta, The City of Calgary will be undertaking a study to identify the optimal rail connection and alignment between downtown Calgary and the Calgary International Airport.
“The study will consider existing rail plans, past City of Calgary transit studies and other opportunities, to help guide future transit planning.” – Michael Thompson, General Manager of Infrastructure Services
Part of the 2023 city budget, $3 million dollars was allocated to the City of Calgary to lead the Calgary Airport Rail Connection Study.
The Calgary Airport Rail Connection Study will include a ridership review, development and evaluation of different alignment scenarios and will identify the optimal connection from downtown to airport.
This includes an engineering consultant will be recruited to assist with this technical study, which will also include engagement with Canada Infrastructure Bank, the Calgary International Airport, Canadian Pacific Kansas City and various private rail developers who are developing project plans to connect downtown with the airport and the surrounding region.
In a press release, General Manager of Infrastructure Services for the City of Calgary Michael Thomson shared ““It’s important for us to take a comprehensive look at all factors in this technically and physically constrained corridor to establish an optimal functional alignment that will best serve Calgarians, visitors and employees of the airport and surrounding lands,” he continued “The study will consider existing rail plans, past City of Calgary transit studies and other opportunities, to help guide future transit planning.”
Alberta Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors, Devin Dreeshen shared how the new rail line will be a vital road map that will help build a transit network that increases capacity and supports transportation needs for the City of Calgary.
Recommendations from the study will ultimately be provided to Calgary City Council to help guide The City’s short to long-term transportation and land use planning.
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