The Alberta Government is moving forward on a 30-year passenger rail master plan, beginning with airport connections in Calgary and Edmonton, followed by high-speed rail between the two cities.

Premier Danielle Smith was joined by Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors Devin Dreeshen and Chris Dinsdale, president and CEO of Calgary Airports, to make the announcement on June 5, 2026, and it will come with an initial $15 million over three years for planning.

The premier said that she and Minister Dreeshen had been working with stakeholders and met with rail operators, manufacturers, and other industry leaders to gain insight on how to move ahead. More than 22,000 people participated in public engagement.

“We heard many perspectives, but one thing was abundantly clear. A feasible passenger rail network is no longer just a vision for Alberta,” she said.

“It’s a goal, certainly it’s an ambitious goal, and it will take about three decades of steady, incremental work to achieve it.”

The plan calls for a 300 km/h high-speed rail connecting Alberta’s two largest cities – Calgary and Edmonton – and then other regional passenger rail routes that connect tourism areas and other centres. Those would travel at 160 km/h.

Minister Dreeshen said that the initial funding will support work to connect the Calgary and Edmonton airports to each city’s respective LRT systems.

“The funding will also support initial planning for a central station in downtown Calgary,” he said.

“This vision for a passenger rail station would connect to a future Calgary event center. Having these connections would eventually allow passengers to travel seamlessly between downtown Calgary to right here at the airport.

The so-called Grand Central Station in Calgary would not only be the connection point for regional rail, but it would serve as the terminus for the Green Line southeast leg to connect with the downtown portion of that line.

Airport connections to be accelerated

Premier Smith said that people they heard from in both cities said that airport connections were a priority. The City of Calgary is already moving ahead on a Blue Line extension to 88 Avenue to help accommodate an airport connection.

“There’s in Calgary, the extension of the Blue Line is going to be very likely the most feasible project in the short term, but that helps to allow us to develop a multimodal terminal here that will pave the way for when we do build the high-speed rail, that will be along a different route,” she said.

Neither the Premier nor Minister Dreeshen had a specific timeline for breaking ground on the high-speed rail link between the two major cities.

Chris Dinsdale, president and CEO of Calgary Airports, said that he’s been gratified by the level of engagement they’ve had with the Government of Alberta on the rail connection.

“We’re ready to get this moving. Calgary Airport’s sole role is to serve Albertans. They’re our shareholders, and providing reliable, convenient access to Calgary Airport is critical, ensuring we meet their needs,” he said.

“In this first step of railway to the downtown, YYC will ensure Albertans and Calgarians have easy access to the airport, while also providing the same accessibility to visitors and business travelers as they visit our incredible city and region.”

Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas, who was in Edmonton for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities meetings, issued a statement Friday afternoon.

He said that for decades people have talked about connecting downtown Calgary, the airport and the Bow Valley corridor by rail.

“With the province advancing its Passenger Rail Master Plan, that vision is moving closer to reality,” he said.

“A modern passenger rail network would strengthen tourism, support economic growth, create jobs, reduce pressure on our transportation network, and better connect our region.”

Farkas also said that with Calgary consistently one of Canada’s fastest growing cities, important to have infrastructure that matches the city’s needs.

“This announcement makes it even more important to accelerate the Prairie Economic Gateway, complete the Green Line, and advance rapid transit connections to the airport,” he said.

“Together, these initiatives will strengthen Calgary’s role as Western Canada’s transportation and logistics hub while improving how people and goods move throughout the region.”