{"id":14858,"date":"2025-01-30T02:03:02","date_gmt":"2025-01-30T02:03:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/torontotribune.ca\/index.php\/2025\/01\/30\/were-in-premier-backs-calgarys-new-green-line-plan-despite-downtown-uncertainty-calgary\/"},"modified":"2025-01-30T02:03:02","modified_gmt":"2025-01-30T02:03:02","slug":"were-in-premier-backs-calgarys-new-green-line-plan-despite-downtown-uncertainty-calgary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/torontotribune.ca\/index.php\/2025\/01\/30\/were-in-premier-backs-calgarys-new-green-line-plan-despite-downtown-uncertainty-calgary\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018We\u2019re in\u2019: Premier backs Calgary\u2019s new Green Line plan despite downtown uncertainty – Calgary"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Calgary city councillors have once again given their seal of approval for the Green Line LRT<\/a>, greenlighting an updated plan for the project that could see construction begin later this year.<\/p>\n

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Council\u2019s decision late Tuesday will allow for shovels in the ground on the southeast segment of the Green Line between Shepard and Victoria Park.<\/p>\n

It also commits to a two-year functional study on the downtown alignment to examine things like property and safety impacts, validating cost estimates and advancing design.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\tA map of the Green Line showing the southeast section that could begin construction in 2025, with a two-year functional study planned for the downtown segment.\t\t\t\t<\/span>
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The new Green Line plan follows an ultimatum from the provincial government to pull its $1.53 billion in funding for the project if the city didn\u2019t elevate and shorten the line through the downtown core, instead of a previously planned tunnel through to Eau Claire.<\/p>\n

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\u201cWe\u2019re in,\u201d Premier Danielle Smith said Wednesday when asked about council\u2019s decision.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re pleased they made the decision to go ahead and allow shovels to get in the ground as soon as this early part of the year,\u201d Smith said. \u201cThen we can continue to work on how we expand the alignment.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Calgary\u2019s mayor, however, isn\u2019t as optimistic about the new path forward for the project.<\/p>\n

Taking questions from reporters on Tuesday, Jyoti Gondek shared concerns\u00a0 over cost overruns and legal liability would fall completely on the City of Calgary, after the province said it wouldn\u2019t earmark any additional funds to the project.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe one thing I\u2019m 100 per cent confident in is the province will bully their way through this project,\u201d Gondek said.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThey have become overlords of the Green Line.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Calgary is the majority funding partner in the $6.2-billion megaproject with a 46-per cent share, followed by the Government of Canada at 27 per cent and the provincial government with a 26-per cent share.<\/p>\n

City administration also warned it found an additional $1.2 billion in cost and risks not accounted for in the province\u2019s assessments.<\/p>\n

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\u201cBy increasing ridership and expanding access, we are ensuring that taxpayer dollars deliver maximum value while building a stronger, more connected city,\u201d Alberta\u2019s Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen said in a statement.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a win for Calgary, for Alberta, and for the future of public transit in our province.\u201d<\/p>\n

The province\u2019s preferred alignment, and subject of the functional study, would see an elevated track above 10 Avenue S.E. that turns north up 2 Street S.W. and terminating at 7 Avenue S.W.<\/p>\n

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