Green Line (Calgary)

Green Line
Overview
StatusWinding down[1]
OwnerCalgary Transit
LocaleCalgary, Alberta, Canada
Termini
StationsPhase 1: 7
Stage 1: 15
Full vision: 29
Websitewww.calgary.ca/greenline
Service
TypeLight rail
SystemCTrain
Route number203
Operator(s)Calgary Transit
Depot(s)Highfield
Rolling stockCAF Urbos 100[2]
Daily ridershipPhase 1: 32,000[3]
Stage 1: 56,000–65,000[4]
Full vision: 140,000
History
Planned opening≈ 2031 (≈ 2031)[5]
Technical
Line lengthPhase 1: 10 kilometres (6.2 mi)
Stage 1: 20 kilometres (12 mi)
Full vision: 46 kilometres (29 mi)
Number of tracks2
CharacterAt-grade, elevated, underground, street running
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)
ElectrificationOverhead lines, 750 V DC[6]
Operating speed80 kilometres per hour (50 mph)
Map diagram

Future extension
160 Avenue N
144 Avenue N
North Pointe
96 Avenue N
West Nose Creek
Beddington Trail NW
Beddington
64 Avenue N
Thorncliffe
40 Avenue N
28 Avenue N
16 Avenue N
9 Avenue N
Phase 2
Phase 1
Eau Claire
7 Avenue SW
Downtown Transit Mall
CTrain
Centre Street S
4 Street SE
Ramsay/Inglewood
26 Avenue SE
Highfield
Lynnwood/Millican
Ogden
South Hill
Quarry Park
Douglas Glen
Shepard
Future extension
Prestwick
McKenzie Towne
Auburn Bay/Mahogany
South Hospital
Seton

The Green Line, also known as Route 203, was a proposed expansion of the light rail (LRT) network in Calgary, Alberta, planned to run between Calgary's north-central and southeastern boundaries, connecting with the Red Line and Blue Line in the city's downtown. The Green Line would be the largest public infrastructure project in Calgary's history[7] and the first rail line in the city to operate low-floor trains if built.[8][9] If completed, the full vision of the Green Line would comprise 29 stations spanning 46 kilometres (29 mi), bringing the total number of CTrain stations in Calgary to 74.

Like the Red Line and Blue Line, the Green Line will be constructed in stages and phases. Stage one of construction features 15 stations (10 at-grade, 3 underground, 2 elevated). Phase 1, which is a portion of Stage 1, has been funded with three roughly equal contributions from the City of Calgary, the Government of Alberta, and the Government of Canada. Phase 1 will be 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) long and include 7 stations.

Major construction was planned to begin in early 2021 but was delayed to April 2022 after Alberta's United Conservative provincial government failed to contribute the province's pledged portion of the line's funding. The government rebuked the project as a "line to nowhere", asserting that the City of Calgary did not have "any credible plan" despite nearly four decades of research and planning.[10][11][12] This came after months of speculation from city officials, politicians, and journalists that the provincial government and others associated with the United Conservative Party[13][14][15][16] were attempting to stifle or cancel the Green Line.[17]

Due to the provincial government's actions, the City of Calgary temporarily paused the project's procurement though planning, pre-construction and public engagement continued through 2021.[12] Delays persisted until the project received final approval from Alberta's provincial government on July 7, 2021,[18] hours after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met privately with Jason Kenney in Calgary. This meant the project had full approval from all three orders of government and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated "The money is there and the agreements are signed, so regardless of an election, the Green Line is going to go forward."[19]

Construction of the Green Line officially began in April 2022[20] with PCL Construction selected as the construction management contractor for utility relocation work.[21] The Green Line Board released the Request for Proposals (RFP) to select a proponent to construct phase one of stage one of construction, from Lynnwood/Millican to Eau Claire, on September 26, 2022. In April 2023, Green Line entered the Development Phase of the project and began the comprehensive design of the alignment.[22] On July 30, 2024, Calgary City Council approved a revised Green Line Phase 1 project scope, capital funding request, and delivery model, as recommended by the Green Line Board. The revised scope deferred the underground Centre Street Station for the future and shortened the line to end at Lynwood/Millican. It also moved the Maintenance and Storage Facility from Shepard to Highfield. Construction of the remainder of the Council-approved Phase 1 south to Shepard, and any future extensions north or south as outlined in the approved Stage 1 alignment plan, will proceed when additional funding is in place. This comes following increased cost pressures identified as the design was advanced. The revised Phase 1 scope from Eau Claire to Lynwood/Millican is anticpated to be completed in 2031.[23]

  1. ^ Markusoff, Jason (September 19, 2024). "Council declares Green Line dead, but Danielle Smith thinks her study can revive it". CBC News. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
  2. ^ "LRV CALGARY". LRVs and tram-trains. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  3. ^ "FAQs and resources". Green Line LRT. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
  4. ^ "Update to the 2020 Business Case(2021)" (PDF). FAQs and resources. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  5. ^ "When will the Green Line LRT open?". FAQs and resources. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  6. ^ "SD160 Light Rail Vehicle: Calgary, Canada" (PDF). Siemens Transportation Systems, Inc. 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 26, 2010. Retrieved January 23, 2011. Catenary supply voltage: 600 Vdc
  7. ^ Krause, Darren (June 17, 2020). "Province to review Calgary Green Line plan: McIver letter". LiveWire Calgary. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  8. ^ "Green Line Stage One". Engage. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  9. ^ "Experience the LRV ride | Green Line LRT". www.calgary.ca. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference :19 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ "Nenshi says provincial 'foot-dragging' could delay Green Line work". Calgary Herald. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  12. ^ a b "Green Line LRT procurement process stopped in its tracks due to provincial funding uncertainty". December 17, 2020.
  13. ^ Cite error: The named reference :11 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  14. ^ Cite error: The named reference :12 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  15. ^ Cite error: The named reference :13 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  16. ^ Cite error: The named reference :14 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  17. ^ Cite error: The named reference :8 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  18. ^ "Elbow bumps all around: Trudeau meets face to face with Kenney and Nenshi in Calgary". Calgary Herald. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
  19. ^ "Sprawlcast: An interview with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau". The Sprawl. July 10, 2021. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
  20. ^ Cite error: The named reference :22 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  21. ^ "PCL begins Calgary's Green Line utility relocation - REMI Network". REMINET. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
  22. ^ "Green Line names Bow Transit Connectors as Development Partner". www.calgary.ca. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  23. ^ "FAQs and resources". Green Line LRT. Retrieved August 4, 2024.