Alberta government announces 'master plan' for railway development
The Alberta government has laid out the path ahead for an ambitious passenger railway system it says "has incredible potential" for the province.
On Monday, Premier Danielle Smith and Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen unveiled the UCP government's passenger rail master plan, a series of steps it will take to "build the optimal passenger rail system for the province."
The vision includes:
- A commuter rail system for the Calgary area that connects neighbouring communities and links them to the Calgary International Airport and the city's downtown;
- A commuter rail system for the Edmonton area that connects neighbouring communities and links them to the Edmonton International Airport and the city's downtown;
- Regional rail lines from Calgary and Edmonton to the national parks;
- A regional rail line between Calgary and Edmonton, with a local transit hub in Red Deer;
- Municipal-led LRT systems in Calgary and Edmonton that link with the province's passenger rail system; and
- Rail hubs in Alberta's major cities that provide links between commuter rail systems, regional rail routes and municipal-led mass transit systems.
The province's strategy is also expected to introduce an Alberta-led, "Metrolinx-like" Crown corporation to develop the infrastructure and oversee the daily operations associated with the railway network.
A request for proposal for Alberta's passenger rail master plan will be issued this summer and the government expects to add further investment to the project in Budget 2025 and 2026.
If the strategy moves ahead, the province says it expects to begin construction in 2027.
There is no information on how much the network will cost.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
This type of screen time has the worst effect on kids: experts
According to some experts, there is one type of screen time that is continuously excessive, and it's having a severe effect on our children.
Grayson Murray's parents say the two-time PGA Tour winner died of suicide
Grayson Murray's parents said Sunday their 30-year-old son took his own life, just one day after he withdrew from a PGA Tour event.
Blaine Higgs 'furious' over sexual education presentation
New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs has shared his anger on social media over a presentation in at least four high schools.
Hamas rocket attack from Gaza sets off air raid sirens in Tel Aviv for the first time in months
Hamas fired a barrage of rockets from Gaza that set off air raid sirens as far away as Tel Aviv for the first time in months on Sunday in a show of resilience more than seven months into Israel's massive air, sea and ground offensive.
Some birds may use 'mental time travel,' study finds
Real quick — what did you have for lunch yesterday? Were you with anyone? Where were you? Can you picture the scene? The ability to remember things that happened to you in the past, especially to go back and recall little incidental details, is a hallmark of what psychologists call episodic memory — and new research indicates that it’s an ability humans may share with birds called Eurasian jays.
Trump confronts repeated boos during raucous Libertarian convention speech
Donald Trump was booed repeatedly while addressing Saturday night’s Libertarian Party National Convention.
'Inspires a sense of adventure': Sask. man conquers Mount Everest
A Saskatchewan man made it to the summit of Mount Everest earlier this month.
Indianapolis 500 delayed as strong storm forces fans to evacuate Indianapolis Motor Speedway
The start of the Indianapolis 500 was delayed as a strong storm pushed through the area Sunday, forcing Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials to evacuate about 125,000 fans who had already arrived for "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing."
Driver, 18, gets $3,000 ticket, 32 demerit points after speeding on Laval boulevard
A young driver received a hefty fine from Laval police after they say he was driving nearly 100 km/h over the posted speed limit.