CANADA: A detailed memorandum of understanding to accelerate the development of a proposed 150 km passenger line linking Calgary Airport with Banff National Park has been signed by Alberta’s Ministry of Transportation, Invest Alberta and Canada Infrastructure Bank.
Project feasibility studies have been completed since an initial MoU was signed by Alberta Transportation and CIB in June 2020. Meanwhile, Liricon Capital has submitted an unsolicited proposal to act as project developer.
Invest Alberta plans to undertake market engagement this summer. The province will continue to assess the proposals and seek input from municipalities and indigenous communities. It is envisaged that the project would be undertaken through a long-term PPP.
The proposed passenger service would use a dedicated line built within an existing Canadian Pacific corridor, serving seven stations at Calgary International Airport, downtown Calgary, Calgary Keith, Cochrane, Morley (Stoney Nakoda), Canmore and Banff.
The promoters envisage a service of up to 10 departures per day from the airport to Banff, while the line would also be capable of carrying an express service from the airport to downtown Calgary running every 15 min.
The project ‘may even be the first hydrogen train in North America’, Alberta Premier Jason Kenney suggested on July 15.
Calgary and Banff were last linked by regular inter-city trains in January 1990, after which VIA Rail’s Canadian was re-routed to run via Edmonton.
