Calgary council approves Green Line plan; construction to begin while downtown design is developed

City council passed a new Green Line LRT plan that will see construction begin while a downtown design is developed further.

Calgary’s stop-and-go Green Line project appears to be back on the rails after city council endorsed a plan that would see construction in the south start while a full downtown design plan is worked on.

The decision comes after the Government of Alberta commissioned a report for a preferred alignment through the Beltline and downtown that would see an elevated track instead of a tunnel.

“We need track. We need the Green Line to start,” said Coun. Evan Spencer. “I am supportive of moving forward because we need to get started.”

According to the province, the cost for a line from Shepard to Seventh Avenue S.W. downtown is $6.236 billion.

City officials say they’ve identified an additional $1.3 billion in costs not accounted for by the province’s assumption.

In a vote late on Tuesday, council approved 10 recommendations to continue with Green Line work.

Major construction on the track from Shepard to Victoria Park could start as early as this spring, while construction downtown could begin in 2027 after a “functional plan” is completed.

That “functional plan” would include design work, a cost estimate, engagement with stakeholders and studies to understand the impact an elevated track would have on property assessments and traffic.

During her final comments, Ward 3 Coun. Jasmine Mian said she would not be seeking re-election in October, citing this decision on the Green Line as her last straw.