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A proposal to build a hydrogen passenger rail line connecting Calgary and Banff has been submitted to the federal government in hopes of speeding up its implementation.
Liricon Capital and Plenary Americas will pay for a line connecting the city to the mountain town, provided the provincial government pays for a railway linking Calgary International Airport to the city's downtown.
Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas called the project not only an opportunity for “critical economic development” but also “value for everyday commuters.”
“Visitors to Calgary can not only take the train, go downtown, see our amazing city and then head to the mountains,” he said. “It is also beneficial for Calgary passengers to be able to get to the airport. [and] work”.
Federal government Office of Major Projects, which helps expedite the implementation of projects of “national importance”. declined to comment on the rail proposal.
Farkas said the rail line would also benefit other communities in southern Alberta. The proposed railway would stop at Cochrane. For example, Mini Thnî and Canmore.
“It reflects how we can better work together and take advantage of these economic opportunities together,” he said.
Joe Pavelka, professor of ecotourism and outdoor leadership at Mount Royal University, pointed to several potential benefits of the railway, including helping to ease Banff's concerns about vehicular traffic.
“It will have a very positive impact on Banff and the entire Bow Valley,” he said. “It just makes it easier to manage people in the park.”
He expects the majority of rail ridership to be commuters and people traveling to and from the airport, rather than tourists.
He said the ability to easily travel to and from Banff without a car will also make Calgary a more competitive market for conferences and conventions.
Provincial support is major obstacle, developer says
Paul Martin of Plenary Americas said in an emailed statement that, depending on when the province commits to the project, construction on the railway could begin in 2028 and begin carrying passengers by 2030.
“As for the main obstacles, the main one is obtaining government obligations into this project,” he said.
This proposal has been in the works for many years. Previous provincial government under Jason Kenney I would not allocate money for this idea.
Provincial Transport Minister Devin Drieshen said it was “very early days” when asked about the commitment to the project, citing the need for consultation with municipalities and First Nations and an assessment of how the project fits into the province's passenger rail strategy.
Ian Waterus, managing partner of Liricon, said getting the green light from Ottawa's Major Projects Authority could help speed up the provincial government's approval of the project.
“We hope that if this project is approved by the Major Projects Authority, it will give the province additional confidence that we are serious and that this project can actually be delivered.”
Since the launch of the Major Projects Office in August, Premier Mark Carney has recommended 11 projects for fast-track review, none of which are in Alberta.
