Alberta unveils 30-year passenger rail master plan after nearly a year-long delay
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Alberta unveils 30-year passenger rail master plan after nearly a year-long delay
Dreeshen said Alberta is investing $15 million over three years to advance the planning phase of the passenger rail system.
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By Cindy Tran
Published Jun 05, 2026
Last updated 1 day ago
3 minute read
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Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors Minister Devin Dreeshen, left, and Premier Danielle Smith at an announcement at the Calgary International Airport on Friday, June 5, 2026. The Alberta government is investing $15 million to advance passenger rail planning. Photo by Jim Wells /Postmedia
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Alberta’s 30-year passenger rail master plan is set to leave the station after the premier on Friday announced a vision to link Edmonton and Calgary via high-speed train.
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Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said the first part of the plan is to connect the province’s two largest cities as well as lines to the two metropolitan airports. The passenger rail master plan will also look to connect a rail network to existing light-rail transit (LRT) systems.
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“A feasible passenger rail network is no longer just a vision for Alberta. It’s a goal,” Smith said at a press conference.
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“With the master plan complete, and strong interest across the province and a growing population putting more pressure on our roads and highways, we are eager to get started.”
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The master plan was initially slated to come out last summer but faced a number of delays. Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen previously said it has taken the department a lot of time to work with industry and rail builders to develop the plan.
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According to the province, work is currently underway to examine connections between Edmonton and Calgary’s LRT systems and the international airports.
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Dreeshen did not say what the cost will be for the initial rail lines or the timelines for when they would be built. He said financing options are still being developed but said it could come at little to no cost to the province.
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“You’d have a private sector proponent coming in, footing the bill for the train, as well as all the development that goes around the train stations,” Dreeshen said.
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“How that looks is still ongoing work.”
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Dreeshen said Alberta is investing $15 million over three years to advance the planning phase of the passenger rail system. The funding will go towards the initial planning for a central station in downtown Calgary which the passenger rail would connect to.
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The master plan outlines high-speed rails for routes from Edmonton to Calgary which would travel at more than 300 km/h and a route from Calgary to Banff which would travel at more than 160 km/h. It also highlights a number of regional routes connecting Edmonton with surrounding cities such as St. Albert, Spruce Grove and Leduc.
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Edmonton Mayor Andrew Knack welcomed the province’s high-speed rail plan, noting a commuter rail between downtown Edmonton and the airport would be “transformative” for the city.
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“While the city’s current priority is our immediate infrastructure needs, I look forward to discussing this further with provincial leaders, regional partners, and YEG to develop these services and enhance the lives of people in Edmonton, the region, and Alberta,” Knack said Friday.
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Erin Isfeld, manager of corporate communications at the Edmonton International Airport, said the airport was consulted ahead of the master plan’s release and was able to provide feedback. She said the airport is looking to revamp its north terminal along with future plans and how it could intersect with a high-speed commuter train connecting downtown Edmonton to the airport.
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“People are looking for convenience and they’re looking for a way to get out to the airport that provides them that efficiency,” Isfeld said.
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“A rail service connecting (the airport) to downtown Edmonton, making it easier for passengers to strengthen that visitor economy, that’s really big for us.”
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The province is currently engaging with prospective industry proponents and partners about their role in the passenger rail network. From September to November, the province will be engaging with private investors and developers to discuss investment strategies, financing options and private sector capacity.
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–With files from Eric Bowling
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ctran@postmedia.com
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