Calgary, Alberta team up on study to find ‘optimal’ transit connection to airport

The City of Calgary and the Government of Alberta are teaming up in the undertaking of a study to find the “optimal” transit connection between downtown and the Calgary airport.

The proposal was part of Alberta’s 2023 budget, which allocated $3 million to the city for the Calgary Airport Rail Connection Study.

An engineering consultant will be recruited, including engagement with the Canada Infrastructure Bank, the Calgary International Airport, Canadian Pacific Kansas City, and private rail developers who are “developing project plans to connect downtown with the airport and the surrounding region.”

The city says the request for an engineering consultant is ongoing, and once a consultant has been found, it says work is expected to begin in October 2023, with an August 2024 target for completion.

Meanwhile, the study will include a ridership review, development, and evaluation of various alignment scenarios, and hopes to find the “optimal connection” from downtown to the airport, the city says.

“It’s important for us to take a comprehensive look at all factors in this technically and physically constrained corridor to establish an optimal functional alignment that will best serve Calgarians, visitors, and employees of the airport and surrounding lands,” says Michael Thompson, General Manager of Infrastructure Services.

“The study will consider existing rail plans, past City of Calgary transit studies and other opportunities to help guide future transit planning.”

Once the study is complete, its recommendations will be provided to city council to help guide Calgary’s “short to long-term transportation and land use planning.”

“As Calgary continues to grow, it’s vital to have a roadmap to build out a transit network that increases capacity and supports transportation needs, now and into the future,” says Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors, Devin Dreeshen.

“This project is an important step forward in providing direction on affordable transit infrastructure that will best serve Calgary while respecting taxpayers’ investment.”