Alberta’s high-speed rail plans just took a major step forward
A high-speed rail link between Calgary and Edmonton just took another step forward.
The Province of Alberta is getting ready to launch a formal Request for Proposal (RFP) process this fall for a high-speed rail project connecting downtown Edmonton, Red Deer, and downtown Calgary, with stops serving Edmonton International Airport, Calgary International Airport, and Airdrie.
Alberta plans to select a private-sector proponent by April 2027, with the successful proposal expected to require minimal financial investment from the provincial government, according to a news release from the Province.
“Connecting Calgary, Red Deer, and Edmonton with high-speed rail would be a generational investment in Alberta’s future. As our province continues to grow, we need to build the infrastructure that keeps people, businesses and our economy moving,” said Alberta Premier Danielle Smith.
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“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.”
The federal government has also committed to referring the Calgary-Red Deer-Edmonton corridor to its Major Projects Office, and says it will work with Alberta to advance the project once a private proponent has been selected.
The proposed rail line would use new, dedicated passenger tracks and trains travelling at speeds of up to 320 km/h.
According to the province, a trip between downtown Edmonton and downtown Calgary could take about one hour and 45 minutes.
The corridor is home to about 80 per cent of Alberta’s population, and the province says high-speed rail could provide another transportation option while reducing pressure on the QEII Highway.
Alberta’s Passenger Rail Master Plan includes high-speed regional service between Edmonton and Calgary as part of a phased 30-year passenger rail network, which was released on June 5, 2026.
Alberta Government
The plan also lays out a 60-year vision for expanding passenger rail across Alberta, potentially stretching from Fort McMurray to the Crowsnest Pass.