CALGARY, ALTA. – Alberta is moving ahead with the next phase of its proposed high-speed rail network, with the provincial government preparing to launch a formal request for proposals this fall for a private company to develop a rail connection between Edmonton, Red Deer and Calgary.
Premier Danielle Smith said Ottawa has agreed to refer the project to the federal Major Projects Office once Alberta has selected a private-sector proponent. The province expects that selection to take place by April 2027.
The proposed corridor would connect Alberta’s three major urban centres while also serving the province’s two largest airports. The federal and provincial governments have agreed to work together as the project progresses, including on planning, due diligence, information sharing and consultations.
Emergency Management Minister Eleanor Olszewski, who represents an Edmonton riding, said the federal government is prepared to collaborate with Alberta on the initiative.
That work will involve engagement with Indigenous communities, municipalities and the public to examine the potential costs, benefits and effects of introducing high-speed passenger rail along the corridor.
Alberta’s Passenger Rail Master Plan identifies high-speed service between Edmonton and Calgary through Red Deer as part of a broader phased passenger rail network. Provincial plans also call for connections to existing transit systems and international airports.
Speaking at a news conference in Calgary on Monday, Smith pointed to Alberta’s rapid population growth as a key factor behind the push for new transportation infrastructure.
“Statistics Canada’s most recent population data shows that Alberta is growing faster than every other province in 2026 and the Calgary, Red Deer, Edmonton region is home to roughly 80 per cent of Alberta’s population,” Smith said.
“That increasing demand is creating a greater need for modern transportation infrastructure to keep people as well as services moving efficiently.”
The province’s formal request for proposals is expected to seek private-sector participation for a downtown Calgary-to-downtown Edmonton high-speed rail project via Red Deer. The current proposal also includes service to Calgary International Airport, Edmonton International Airport and Airdrie.
Alberta’s plans envision high-speed trains travelling at more than 300 kilometres per hour and operating more than once an hour. Budget 2026 allocated $15 million over three years to advance passenger rail planning, including assessments of private-sector participation, financing models and business opportunities.
Ottawa’s Major Projects Office, established by Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government in Calgary last year, is intended to accelerate the development of infrastructure projects considered to be in the national interest.
The federal government said the Alberta partnership is intended to support mobility, economic productivity, regional connectivity, investment and long-term growth as the high-speed rail proposal moves into its next stage.
The project is part of Alberta’s broader effort to expand passenger rail infrastructure as the province’s population and transportation demand continue to increase.
