High speed train between Calgary and Edmonton closer to reality

CALGARY (660 NEWS) – It is an idea that’s been floating around for years, but now the Alberta government is committing to look deeper into a hyperloop between Calgary and Edmonton.

The government has reached a memorandum of understanding with Toronto-based company TransPod to research, plan and possibly build a loop between the two cities.

The proposed high-speed train would be completely electric and able to travel upwards of 1,000 kilometres an hour, meaning the trip from Calgary to Edmonton could be as short as 30 minutes.

“Alberta’s government is supporting new and exciting opportunities for job creation and innovation,” said Transportation Minister Ric McIver.

“By supporting TransPod’s feasibility study, Alberta Transportation will provide important information contributing to the research, development, testing, and construction of a full inter-city TransPod line between Edmonton and Calgary. We look forward to seeing this work put Alberta at the forefront of the movement of goods and people.”

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TransPod estimates the hyperloop would create 38,000 jobs over 10 years and also reduce Alberta’s carbon emissions by up to 300,000 tonnes per year.

“Alberta’s leadership mindset and partnership with TransPod firmly places it at the cutting edge of transportation innovation,” said CEO Sebastien Gendron.

“Through this strategic agreement that secures the province’s economic future without having to commit any taxpayer dollars, the Government of Alberta is investing in improving growth and quality of life in the region.”

The memorandum doesn’t include any guaranteed money at this point but would share data with the company and begin discussions on possible routes.

This isn’t the first time Transpod has visited the idea of a hyperloop. Last November, Gendron said they received the green list from the previous NDP government to test a hyperloop on a 10-kilometre stretch of land south of Red Deer.

However, he said at the time discussions with the United Conservatives were not taking place.

“Hopefully, they will change their mind, but from the initial feedback I have, this is not something they are interested in.”

While McIver previously voted down the idea of a hyperloop due to uncertainty around tax dollars, Gendron noted the project would likely be privately funded.

“In the initial phase, we’re looking at $100 to $200 million investment from the private sector in the province to create jobs.”

For now, Alberta's partnership means allocating a 10km of land for a possible test track – no financial commitments.

It testing were to prove successful, @TransPod_Inc would look to secure large-scale private investment to make this concept a reality.https://t.co/cJWb7yPpeD pic.twitter.com/sZKMfsMnPN

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The project will undergo feasibility studies and a development phase from now until 2024 with testing to possibly begin in 2022.

Construction of the inter-city line could begin by 2025 and finish by 2027.