Green Line construction catch-up: what to know for September

Groundbreaking for the first Green Line Public Garden

Green Line is enhancing communities and boosting social connections through the development of beautiful outdoor spaces. With $4M in seed funding from Green Line, the Green Line Public Gardens projects, lead and managed by Parks Foundation Calgary, will develop a minimum of six outdoor community spaces located near future Green Line stations.

The redevelopment of George Moss Park in Ogden is the first project. The redeveloped space will feature basketball courts with a public art element, open seating areas, a community plaza, playgrounds, and plenty of space to connect with community members.

78 Avenue Project underway in Ogden

Green Line’s 78 Avenue Project has kicked off in the community of Ogden. Before building the Ogden LRT station and tracks, the 78th Avenue Project will complete vehicle and pedestrian tunnels under the Canadian Pacific Kansas City Railway (CPKC) railway corridor to enhance mobility and pedestrian safety around the future Green Line LRT Ogden Station.

Graham Construction has begun constructing the first of two temporary embankments. These embankments will allow for CPKC trains to be diverted while the vehicle and pedestrian tunnels are built in 2024.

Prior to the start of construction, community information sessions were held on June 13 and 24, and Green Line presented to over 300 local students in to share information about the upcoming project and how to stay safe during construction.

The questions we're asked most often (and their answers)

Over the summer our Street Team participated in 12 community events and festivals, answering questions, and chatting with folks about the Green Line project. We were thrilled with the incredible enthusiasm and support for the project that we encountered all summer.

The top three questions we received are:

1. Is Green Line going ahead? Absolutely! Green Line was approved and funded in 2021.
2. When will the Green Line LRT open? We are working on the schedule through the Development Phase, but a project of this size generally takes approximately six years to complete.
3. When will construction start? It has. There are early works projects currently underway in the Beltline, Downtown and Ogden. We are on track to begin the Implementation Phase and main construction in 2024.

To get answers to our most frequently asked questions, check out our new FAQ page.

Green Line construction in Downtown and Beltline

As we transition back to our regular school and work routines, you may be heading to Downtown or the Beltline for the first time in a while. Heads-up: there are two significant Green Line projects that are currently affecting vehicular traffic in these areas.

These projects revolve around the relocation of underground utilities to make way for the Green Line LRT tunnel. The proactive step of relocating these utilities to new areas at this stage serves the purpose of mitigating potential risks and minimizing disruptions to the construction timeline when the tunnel excavation phase begins.

• Digging deep under 5 Avenue S.W. - The three middle lanes of 5 Avenue between 2 and 3 Street S.W. are closed until late September for a deep excavation of underground utilities.?
• Big changes in the Beltline for those headed to the Saddledome / Stampede Park?- The intersection of 11 Avenue and 4 Street S.E. is closed until late 2023 to upgrade deep underground utilities, effectively closing the 4 Street S.E. underpass to vehicles. Pedestrian and cycling access will be maintained, as will local access to residential buildings and businesses.?

History of Calgary's Light Rail Vehicles (LRVs)

Officially opened in 1981, the CTrain would forever transform the transportation network in Calgary. Serving nearly 250,000 Calgarians each weekday, the CTrain is the backbone of Calgary Transit’s system.? Check out our video and article that look back at how Light Rail Vehicles (LRVs) have changed throughout the years, and how the future arrival of a new low-floor LRV for Green Line will mark an exciting new era for light rail transit in Calgary.

Three facts you might not know about Calgary’s LRVs:

1. Some of Calgary Transit's original LRVs are still used today; they've been riding the rails for over 42 years!??
2. Onboard security cameras were introduced in 2010.
3. The Green Line will introduce the first low-floor LRVs to Calgary.?

Green Line and the Primary Transit Network?

An update to RouteAhead, the 30-year strategic plan for Calgary Transit, was approved by City Council in July. The focus of RouteAhead is to prioritize the Primary Transit Network, which is a permanent network of high-frequency transit corridors, with service every 10 minutes or less, at least 15 hours a day, seven days a week. Phase 1 of the Green Line (Shepard to Eau Claire) will improve the Primary Transit Network across the southeast by providing connections to the Red and Blue LRT lines and three MAX rapid bus lines.

RouteAhead lists 16 future projects to grow the Primary Transit Network including the Green Line, an airport connection, extensions to the Red and Blue Lines and MAX/BRT expansions and new routes. The Green Line was awarded the highest benefits score (99/100) out of all projects on the list. Benefits were analyzed using five weighted categories: ridership, customer experience, economic, social and environmental benefits.

The Green Line is The City of Calgary’s next light rail transit (LRT) line and largest infrastructure investment in our city’s history. With $5.5 billion in funding commitments from the Government of Canada, Government of Alberta and City of Calgary, the approved Stage 1 alignment is ready for construction beginning with the first phase from Shepard to Eau Claire.