High-speed rail connecting Alberta’s big city downtowns advances another step

A proponent should be selected by April 2027, and the Government of Canada committed today to refer the item to its Major Projects Office.

“Connecting Calgary, Red Deer and Edmonton with high-speed rail would be a generational investment in Alberta’s future,” Premier Danielle Smith said.

“As our province continues to grow, we need to build the infrastructure that keeps people, businesses and our economy moving. By working with the federal government, we are taking the next steps toward a project that could strengthen one of Canada’s fastest-growing economic corridors and support Alberta’s growth for decades to come.”

A release notes that 80 per cent of Alberta’s population is along the Calgary to Edmonton corridor.

“High-speed rail has great potential to reshape the way people move in Canada, and supports Alberta’s economic growth, productivity and regional connectivity,” says Steven MacKinnon, Canada’s Minister of Transport.

“Today’s collaboration demonstrates our shared commitment to exploring opportunities that could deliver lasting benefits for Albertans and Canadians.”

It’s predicted the rail cars would move at up to 320 km/h, using new, dedicated rail tracks in a new, dedicated greenfield corridor.

It would take under two hours to go from one end to the other.

This past June, the Government of Alberta announced $15 million to begin implementing recommendations from Alberta’s Passenger Rail Master Plan.

Premier Smith stated during the Q&A portion of the news conference that she hopes they can manage to build the roughly 350 km of rail sooner than 2035.

Smith also noted the 120-day approval timeline for projects over $250 million.

There was no mention on Monday of the company TransPod, which in October 2025 announced a Canadian steel pact specifically for the ultra-high-speed transit line it has spoken of seeing come to fruition.

rdnewsNOW has requested clarification on their continued involvement, or lack thereof, from the ministry.

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by Josh Hall

High-speed rail connecting Alberta’s big city downtowns advances another step

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