Calgary-Banff Passenger Rail Makes Alberta High Priority

Article content

A proposed hydrogen-powered passenger rail line between Calgary International Airport and Banff has received a new priority from the state government.

Article content

Link, backed by the Banff-based company, was highlighted in the United Conservative government’s economic mandate issued on Tuesday, touting the importance of tourism.

Article content

Prime Minister Daniel Smith said in a letter to Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondec that the city of Calgary is considering extending the LRT to the airport, possibly in conjunction with a rail line to Banff.

“I also encourage the City to work with the State of Calgary and potentially private companies to explore options for creating a rail link between Calgary and Canmore/Banff,” she wrote in a Nov. 15 letter. said in

“Lines like these help Calgarians, Albertans and anyone visiting our state access one of the world’s greatest natural wonders: our state and national mountain park system. increase.”

Article content

Smith further said such a rail line would boost international and local tourism while increasing safety by reducing vehicular traffic on the Trans-Canada Highway between Calgary and mountain Mecca.

The train will also help the state’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and develop green industries, she said.

“It also mentions the possibility of using hydrogen-powered locomotives in this sector. This reduces emissions and is in line with government policy. A vision to make Alberta a world leader in hydrogen technology research and development and manufacturing,” said Smith.

Liricon Capital Inc. and Plenary America Spearheading Calgary Airport Banff Airport rail The project has submitted proposals to Alberta Transportation, Invest Alberta and Canada Infrastructure Bank, and says it is pushing the concept hopefully to be completed by mid-2025.

Article content

The Canadian Infrastructure Bank will cover half of the $1.5 billion construction costs.

A preliminary blueprint assumes 150 kilometers. rail A line running south from the airport parallel to the existing CP track along the west side of the Deerfoot Trail before crossing the Bow River at the existing bridge.

Proposed stations were to be located near the airport, downtown, the Stony Trail on the Trans-Canada Highway, and at Cochrane, Morley, Canmore, and Banff.its newly Built the The track will follow the existing CP Freight Corridor and provide 10 trains per day to the terminus in the Rocky Mountains.

Family-run Lilicon Capital, which owns the Mount Norquay Ski Area and holds a long-term lease of the existing Banff Rail Station, expects the line to: “Capture less than 25% of visitors to Banff National Park.With over 4 million visitors a year, it is by far the busiest of Canada’s national parks.

Article content

Liricon’s managing partner Jan Waterous said the company’s financial pitch to the state was recently revealed, capping it at $30 million a year to help pay off the project’s mortgage. That was the key to the state’s renewed interest.

The state pulled out of the project, citing concerns that taxpayer costs could balloon.

“We’ve been working with the state since June to make that clear,” she said.

Another factor was Parks Canada’s announcement last August of a 10-year management plan for Banff National Park.

“These things give the state a lot of incentive to revisit,” she said.

“I’m very optimistic.

Article content

Waterlas said he plans to meet with state officials in the coming weeks in hopes of advancing consultations with communities along the railroad, including indigenous peoples. This process is expected to take 18 months.

She said this will lead to the design and construction of a public-private partnership that would minimize costs by simply twinning tracks along the existing CP rail route.

“It’s basically space we lease from CP Rail,” said Waterous, adding that Liricon last month renewed its memorandum of understanding with the railroad for another year in hopes of getting a permit from the state.

Environmental commentators have expressed concern about the potential for more collisions between trains and wildlife.

Article content

Waterlas said design discussions could incorporate features such as wildlife tunnels and overpasses, or other safeguards.

“The goal is to make trails safer for wildlife than ever before,” she said.

According to Waterlas, combating increased traffic congestion due to environmental degradation was a major catalyst for her company to build the railroad.

Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondec on Tuesday called Smith’s interest in a rail connection to the airport “good news” for the city, but added it was too early to comment on cost splitting.

“To myself that I will send a clear signal that of state teeth very be interested of strong public transit When transportation Options,” said Gondek.

Article content

“Me believe Council right Become be interested of review what our share of that price right be, However To Become can To Have big connectivity from of airport To downtown When Finally To Banff teeth Something that we Have talked about many times now that we Have a provincial Partner that is be interested of that conversation. “

She didn’t say whether she favored an extension of the Green Line through north-central Calgary over a connection to the airport.

While she welcomed Smith’s expression of interest in an LRT link to the airport, MP Michelle Rempel-Garner of Calgary Nose Hill said the government would provide improved rail transport to underserved residents in the city’s north-central region. should focus on providing

She said such links envisioned by the Green Line should take precedence over tourism-related projects.

“Nearly a decade ago, the federal government provided $1.5 billion to enable communities in north-central Calgary to connect to the rest of the city via light rapid transit, removing about 50,000 vehicles from the road. We’ve built light rapid transit trains that cut rolling stock,” she said. In her statement she said;

“Today, despite this investment, this infrastructure is no longer considered, but the community has grown significantly.”

BKaufmann@postmedia.com

twitter: @BillKaufmannjrn