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A proposal for a hydrogen-powered passenger train connecting Calgary and Banff has been submitted to the federal government in hopes of speeding it up.
Liricon Capital and Plenary Americas will pay for the line connecting the city to the mountain town, as long as the provincial government pays for a railway connecting Calgary International Airport to the city centre.
Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas called the project not only a “critical economic development” opportunity but also “a value for everyday commuters.”
“It’s not just about visitors to Calgary taking a train, going downtown, seeing our amazing city and then heading to the mountains,” he said. “It is also a benefit for Calgary travelers to be able to get to the airport [and] to work.”
the federal government Major Projects Office, which helps accelerate projects “of national importance,” He declined to comment on the rail proposal.
Farkas said the rail line would also benefit other communities in southern Alberta. The proposed railway would have stops in Cochrane, Mînî Thnî and Canmore, for example.
“It reflects a way that we can work better together and pursue these economic opportunities as a group,” he said.
Joe Pavelka, a professor of ecotourism and outdoor leadership at Mount Royal University, pointed to several potential benefits of rail, including helping to alleviate Banff’s concerns about vehicle traffic.
“This will have a very positive impact for Banff and the entire Bow Valley,” he said. “It just makes it easier to manage people in the park.”
He expects that much of the railroad’s passengers will be commuters and people coming and going from the airport, rather than tourists.
He said being able to easily get to and from Banff without a car would also make Calgary a more competitive market for hosting conferences and conventions.
Provincial support is the main obstacle, says a developer
Paul Martin of Plenary Americas said in an emailed statement that depending on when the province comes on board, the rail project could begin construction in 2028 and begin carrying passengers in 2030.
“In terms of major obstacles, the main one is get government commitment to this project,” he said.
This proposal has been in the making for years. The previous provincial government, under the leadership of Jason Kenney, did not commit any money to the idea.
Provincial Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen said it’s “still very early” when asked about commitment to the project, noting the need for consultation with municipalities and First Nations, as well as an assessment of how the project aligns with the province’s passenger rail strategy.
Jan Waterous, managing partner at Liricon, said receiving the green light from Ottawa’s Major Projects Office could help speed up the project’s approval by the provincial government.
“Our hope is that if this project is approved by the Major Projects Office, it would give the province greater assurance that we are serious and that this project could actually be built.”
Since the Major Projects Office opened in August, Premier Mark Carney has recommended 11 projects for the expressway, none of which are in Alberta.
