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 and city administration met with Premier Danielle Smith, Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen, and other provincial officials in a productive meeting. The mayor stated that preserving existing work and contracts, such as contracts for low-floor light-rail vehicles and design work on certain segments of the Green Line, could save millions in costs and jobs. The Government of Alberta has hired engineering firm AECOM to find alternate alignments for the Green Line that would fit within the project’s budget.
The province aims to have the Green Line run at-grade from the downtown core to Seton in the southeast of the city within the $6.2 billion budget. The mayor mentioned that the province committed to reviewing the city’s existing contracts after initially rejecting the proposal twice. Both parties are focused on delivering the new alignment in a cost-effective and efficient manner without compromising the rider experience and the vision for the project. Transportation Minister Dreeshen expressed positivity about the meeting, highlighting the importance of collaboration between the city and the province to salvage the Green Line project.
The Green Line project faced uncertainty following a letter from Dreeshen to Gondek stating that the province would withdraw its $1.53 billion funding unless modifications were made to the line’s route. This came after city council had to shorten the line to Lynwood/Millican and increase the city’s share of funding due to escalating costs. Dreeshen emphasized the need to ensure the best value for taxpayer dollars and build the Green Line effectively. The costs to wind down the project are estimated to be significant, but the province has stated that it will not assist with those costs, leaving the city responsible for overseeing construction.
City and provincial officials are currently reviewing existing contracts, with more information expected in the coming days. The tight timeline for decision-making on existing contracts necessitates swift action from administration teams. Both sides emphasized the urgency of the situation and acknowledged the need for close collaboration to move forward with the project. The resumption of discussions between the city and the province indicates a renewed commitment to finding a viable solution for the Green Line LRT project and ensuring it can proceed in a sustainable and beneficial manner for all parties involved.