With work ongoing and main construction to begin in late 2024, Calgary’s Green Line team thought Valentine’s Day was a good time to get serious in their relationship with citizens.

Starting today, the Green Line is providing more answers to Calgarians’ questions about the $5.5 billion project. It’s come out of ongoing field research and engagement that was done through the latter part of 2023 and into January 2024.

The research was conducted through scientific surveys, an open engagement survey tool and through focus groups, according to Wendy Tynan, executive director of public affairs for the Green Line.

While overwhelmingly supportive, Calgarians had questions – lots of them.

“We’re moving into this next big phase of the project, and we wanted to take the opportunity to make sure that Calgary did have the answers to those questions,” Tynan told LiveWire Calgary.

“So, we’re launching the get-to-know-the-Greenline campaign that’s really focused on facts and benefits and addressing some of the misinformation that’s out there, too.”

Enabling works along the southern portion of the line have been going on for almost seven years now. Utility relocations in the downtown and Beltline started in 2022 and should be finished this year. Tynan said more than $400 million in ‘construction’ has already been done on the Green Line.

“I don’t think that people necessarily always realize that it’s an approved, funded project, that there’s active construction –  I can see it out the window right now,” she said.

Main construction is expected to start at the tail end of 2024. That will involve actual track laying and station construction. They are still working with the development partner to iron out details for the project.

What do Calgarians want to know about the Green Line?

Tynan said that many Calgarians still have questions about the basics of the project: Alignment, construction start, construction duration, who is in charge of the project, etc.

“There’s a lot of feelings that city council’s running the project, that there isn’t sort of that expertise, that independent board that is behind it,” Tynan said.

The Green Line is being overseen by an independent board, headed by Board Chair Don Fairbairn and CEO Darshpreet Bhatti.

Of course, there’s questions about the cost. Tynan was clear: It’s not a $20 billion project. They understand that there’s concern over potentially ballooning costs, given the inflationary and labour pressures.   She said they have a budget, and they have to stick with that budget. If there are changes to that budget, those will have to go through Calgary city council.

“We can’t just go rogue on our own and sign up the city for something without the actual decision makers. So, that part’s always been clear,” she said.

Plus, Tynan said for some reason the idea that they’re tunneling under the Bow River is still out there. They’re not. It hasn’t been in the Green Line plan since 2019, she said.

Calgarians – particularly those in the downtown – have questions about road closures, parking access, and small business support.  Tynan said they will have a dedicated digital campaign in congregration points in the downtown, including in elevator banks.

“We just really wanted to make sure that Calgarians always felt that they could get the answers to the questions that there are decisions need and that the project is firmly moving forward,” Tynan said.

The campaign begins today and will be regularly updated on the Green Line website as more questions about the project arise.