(EllisDon)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

Faster Connection

Second high-speed rail line proposed connecting Calgary, Red Deer and Edmonton

Jul 10, 2021 | 8:02 AM

Another Ontario company is looking to introduce high-speed rail in Alberta, connecting the province’s largest cities.

London-based EllisDon says it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Alberta Transportation to potentially build what it called the Prairie Link line connecting Calgary and Edmonton with a stop in Red Deer.

“The notion of high-speed rail — a proven technology around the world — connecting Edmonton, Red Deer, and Calgary in Alberta is not new, but we believe that its time has come,” said Jeffrey Hansen-Carlson, Director with EllisDon Capital and Project Director for Prairie Link.

“We have built a team with both the capacity and faith in the future of our province to advance it in a meaningful way for Albertans.”

The estimated capital cost is $9 billion, and the project would be among the largest and “most defining nation-building transportation projects” in Alberta’s history, the company says.

Meaningful Mementos

Remembering Someone You've Lost at Christmas

Dec 03, 2024

Seasonal Sorrow

How Do You Get Through The Holidays When You're Grieving?

Nov 01, 2024

Upcoming Events at Oliver's

Grief & Loss and Estate Planning Seminars

Oct 02, 2024

EllisDon proposed the project to the Government of Alberta through the Unsolicited Proposal Guidelines and Framework.

“Since this is a private sector initiative it is very important to us that we continue to maintain positive and solution-orientated day-to-day relationships with the great people that work for the Government of Alberta,” added Joey Comeau, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice-President of EllisDon Capital and Chair of the Board of Prairie Link.

The company adds it has begun engagement with Indigenous communities and established an advisory committee to guide project development.

Adds Hansen-Carlson: “We are committed to the generational prosperity of our Indigenous partners. We are committed to the regional prosperity of Edmonton, Red Deer, and Calgary as well as each county in between. We are also dedicated to supporting the growth and development of both international airports in Alberta.”

In summer 2020, Ontario-based TransPod signed an MOU with the Alberta Government for a hyperlook rail system connecting the two big centres with a possible stop in Red Deer.

TransPod released the results of its feasibility study last week.

The Ministry of Transportation was not able to provide a comment today as that portfolio was involved in Thursday’s cabinet shuffle. There’s no word on how this MOU and project may affect the one with TransPod.