Alberta unveils next steps for passenger rail plan

The Alberta government will soon release details of the next steps in its master rail plan to build up passenger rail service in the province. (Pexels/Tom Fisk)

Premier Danielle Smith and Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen are expected to announce the next steps for passenger rail in Alberta on Friday morning at the Calgary International Airport.

Earlier this year, Dreeshen said that the province’s long-awaited passenger rail master plan was complete and would be released within weeks.

According to the minister, the plan is intended to improve passenger rail connections between Calgary and Edmonton, linking both cities’ international airports. It is also expected to incorporate proposals for future high-speed rail service in the province.

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Friday’s announcement will take place inside YYC’s international terminal and will also include Calgary Airport’s president and CEO Chris Dinsdale.

The event follows a recent City of Calgary study that identified an airport rail connection as a key transit priority. The study recommended an east-west rail link connecting Calgary International Airport with future CTrain expansions, while also integrating with the province’s broader regional and high-speed rail ambitions.

The announcement will be livestreamed on CTV News Calgary beginning at 11 a.m. MT.