Calgary City Council approves updated Green Line plan

CALGARY, ALTA. — Calgary City Council has given the go-ahead to recommended changes to the Green Line light rapid transit plan.

City administration recommendations on the updated Stage 1 alignment from 16 Avenue N. to Shepard along with changes to construction staging were approved on June 16 by council.

“Council’s approval today is a pivotal step in achieving the vision of Green Line promised to Calgarians. The Green Line will improve mobility for all Calgarians connecting communities, employment hubs and key destinations across the city,” Green Line general manager Michael Thompson said in a statement.

The new construction strategy takes into account discussions between stakeholders and council during a June 1 committee meeting and focuses on risk management.

Stage 1 of the Green Line will be constructed in three segments:

Segment 1: Elbow River to Shepard
Segment 2A: 2 Avenue SW station to Elbow River
Segment 2B: 16 Avenue N to north of 2 Avenue SW station

“Stage 1 builds the core of the Green Line long-term vision and will enable future incremental expansion as funding is available to realize the full benefits of the rapid transit network,” Thompson said.

“High quality transit, like LRT, is a necessity for cities to grow, be attractive to entrepreneurs and a talented workforce, and to be competitive economic centres locally and internationally. Green Line is planned for long-term city shaping and spurring redevelopment and investment opportunities in Calgary and will be an important part of the city’s recovery generating 20,000 jobs.”

Segment 1 of the Green Line is shovel-ready, a City of Calgary statement said, and the procurement process will go forward with request for qualification shortlisted proponents to be announced this month, with a request for proposals to be issued no later than July 24.

Segment 1 will be delivered as a design, build, finance project and the proponent teams will bid on the project starting on July 24 but detailed design and construction will begin in 2021.

Further information on the Green Line project is available at Calgary.ca/greenline.