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9/29/2026
The Government of Alberta will launch a formal Request for Proposal (RFP) process this fall, inviting private-sector proponents to submit proposals for the proposed downtown Calgary-Red Deer-to-downtown Edmonton high-speed rail (HSR) project. The line would also connect to Alberta's two largest airports and the city of Airdrie.
The selected proposal will include minimal financial investment by the provincial government and would be integrated into existing passenger-rail systems in Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta officials said. Alberta’s government plans to select a proponent by April 2027.
Like the Toronto - Quebec City High Speed Rail initiative, this project will be referred to the Government of Canada's Major Projects Office once the proponent has been selected by Alberta. The two government entities will establish a joint governance structure to support planning and the advancement of the project, including exploring financing options.
The collaboration complements ongoing federal efforts to strengthen passenger rail and improve intercity connectivity across Canada. Alberta's Passenger Rail Master Plan encompasses commuter rail, regional rail lines, municipal-led light-rail transit systems in Calgary and Edmonton, and multi-modal hubs.
Alberta’s population is expected to increase to between nine and 10 million over the next six decades, with growth concentrated along the Edmonton and Calgary corridor, officials said. If completed, a HSR connection would provide a travel time of one hour and 45 minutes between the two downtowns.
As work progresses, the governments will engage with Indigenous communities, municipalities, industry, investors, stakeholders and the public.
"Connecting Calgary, Red Deer and Edmonton with high-speed rail would be a generational investment in Alberta's future," said Danielle Smith, premier of Alberta. "As our province continues to grow, we need to build the infrastructure that keeps people, businesses and our economy moving. By working with the federal government, we are taking the next steps toward a project that could strengthen one of Canada's fastest-growing economic corridors and support Alberta's growth for decades to come."