Alberta withdraws funding from Green Line light rail project

The province of Alberta has withdrawn its CAD 1.53bn funding from the Calgary Green Line extension project (Lynnwood–Eau Claire) citing concerns at the CAD 6.2bn cost and decision of the city council to shorten the planned line. 

 

This effectively cancels the project, even though CAD 1.3bn has already been spent on land acquisition and design work. The federal agency also involved in funding described the decision as a surprise and disappointing, while advocacy groups described it as ‘the largest flip-flop in Alberta’s history’. 

 

The Green Line is the largest infrastructure project in Calgary’s history with the 10km (6.2-mile) seven-station phase 1 already under construction since April 2022 between Lynnwood and Seton in the southern suburbs.  

 

Unlike the city’s two existing high-floor light rail lines, the Green Line will be operated by 28 CAF Urbos 100 low-floor trams.