Alberta is taking another step toward a proposed high-speed passenger rail line linking Calgary and Edmonton.
The province announced Monday that it will launch a formal request for proposals this fall, seeking a private-sector proponent to advance a high-speed rail corridor between downtown Calgary and downtown Edmonton, with connections serving Red Deer, Airdrie, Calgary International Airport and Edmonton International Airport.
The government says it is seeking a proposal requiring minimal provincial funding and expects to select a successful proponent by April 2027.
Any successful proposal would also be required to connect with existing passenger transit systems in Calgary and Edmonton.
The federal government has agreed to refer the corridor to its Major Projects Office once a proponent is selected and says it will work with Alberta as the project advances.
Alberta’s broader Passenger Rail Master Plan envisions high-speed service of up to 320 km/h between Calgary and Edmonton. The province has previously said such a service could reduce travel time between the two cities to under two hours.
The announcement does not mean construction has been approved. The next step is selecting a private-sector proposal and determining how the project could be financed and delivered.