'Productive discussions' move Calgary's Green Line project in a positive direction
More than a month after the Alberta government announced it would be pulling funding for Calgary's Green Line project, Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen says progress has been made.
In a statement Thursday, Dreeshen said "productive discussions" have taken place between the province and Calgary city council.
"Through these discussions, we have agreed to advance the work from Fourth Street S.E. to Shepard," he said.
"This decision not only works to preserve more than 700 jobs, but also builds on the shared investments we have made towards the Green Line."
- Sign up for breaking news alerts from CTV News, right at your fingertips
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
On Sept. 5, Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek said she received a letter from Dreeshen's office that stated the province was no longer on board with the Green Line plan, stating the infrastructure project was billions over budget and didn't serve enough Calgarians.
Without the province's support for the Green Line, Gondek said the city could no longer move ahead with it.
On Sept. 17, city council voted 10-5 to officially stop the project, a decision that Dreeshen said was "unfortunate."
"Some members of city council would prefer to see the Green Line cancelled entirely rather than find a far more cost-effective and longer above-ground alignment that will actually reach hundreds of thousands of Calgarians in the southeast of the city," he said on Sept. 18.
Gondek, Premier Danielle Smith and Dreeshen all met in Red Deer on Sept. 27, saying that work was underway to build a "cost-effective Green Line."
"In the interest of taxpayers, I'm focused on every way that wind-down of the original Green Line project can be carried out in a manner that retains the highest value and benefit for Calgarians," Gondek said.
In mid-September, Dreeshen said the province brought in a third party, AECOM, to conduct a review of the alignment of the Green Line.
On Thursday, he said AECOM's alignment "will be either at-grade or elevated and will connect into the Red and Blue Lines, the new Event Centre and to southeast Calgary communities."
As that review is being conducted, Dreeshen said the province's original funding commitment of $1.53 billion remains intact and the value of Phase 1 of the Green Line will be preserved.
The city is assisting with the review and meeting with both the province and AECOM during the process.
In a statement Thursday, Gondek said Calgary remains "committed" to the Green Line project.
"(We) remain optimistic that we will continue to reach decisions that are in the best interest of Calgarians."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
TD Bank hit with record US$3 billion fine over drug cartel money laundering
TD Bank will pay US$3 billion to settle charges that it failed to properly monitor money laundering by drug cartels, regulators announced Thursday.
Poilievre, Guilbeault claim victory after federal budget watchdog's updated carbon tax report
Both the Liberals and Conservatives are claiming a win after the Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) released an updated report on the economic impacts of the federal carbon tax on Canadian households.
DEVELOPING Live updates: Millions without power amid path of destruction left by Hurricane Milton
Milton made landfall as a Category 3 storm Wednesday night, causing widespread destruction and immobilizing critical infrastructure. The extent of the damage is not yet known.
Hurricane Milton by the numbers
Hurricane Milton ripped through Florida Wednesday evening, leaving a trail of destruction, flooding and power outages.
Fisher-Price infant swings recalled in Canada after 5 deaths reported
Several models of Fisher-Price infant swings have been recalled in Canada after the company received reports of fatalities link to affected products.
'The View' co-hosts come out swinging at Donald Trump a day after he insulted them
The hosts of ABC's 'The View' clapped back at Donald Trump on Thursday, a day after the Republican nominee for president insulted co-hosts Sunny Hostin and Whoopi Goldberg.
Dozens of tornado warnings were issued ahead of Hurricane Milton. Is that normal?
Florida saw a record number of tornado warnings in a single day Wednesday. An expert says this phenomenon is not unheard of.
Video shows violent robbery north of Toronto, suspects make off with suitcase full of cash: police
Police north of Toronto have released video of what they’re describing as a violent, targeted robbery in Thornhill, where suspects boxed in the victim’s car and made off with a suitcase filled with cash.
Poilievre says 'other ways' to address affordability for seniors than Bloc's proposed pension boost
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says that while his party backed a Bloc Quebecois motion seeking money to boost seniors' benefits, he thinks there are 'other ways' to address affordability for older Canadians.