Alberta and the federal government are advancing plans for high-speed rail between Calgary and Edmonton through Red Deer, aiming to connect major cities within one hour and 45 minutes at speeds up to 320 km/h. The Alberta Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen announced Monday that proposals from private-sector entities will soon be solicited, with the goal of selecting a proponent by April 2027. Premier Danielle Smith highlighted this project as crucial infrastructure for Alberta’s growth, aligning with the province's Passenger Rail Master Plan which outlines a network spanning over 500 kilometres and includes airport services in Calgary and Edmonton.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-28,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
The Calgary-Edmonton high-speed rail project is moving forward after new commitments from both the Alberta government and the federal government. This proposed rail service, which would travel at speeds of up to 320 km/h, aims to transport passengers between downtown Calgary and downtown Edmonton in one hour and 45 minutes through Red Deer. The provincial Transportation Minister, Devin Dreeshen, announced that Alberta is preparing a formal process for private-sector proponents to submit proposals. The rail network, covering more than 500 kilometers, includes service between Calgary and Banff as well as all-day airport connectivity in both cities.
The project received another boost when the Major Projects Office referred it forward; this move was announced by Minister of Transport Steven MacKinnon, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, and Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen. The referral involves engineering, ridership analysis, and financial evaluations since 2021 from a consortium called Prairie Link High Speed Rail Partners, which includes Indigenous equity ownership alongside other industry expertise necessary for project delivery.
Written for “Calgary Edmonton High Speed Rail Project” on 2026-10-11,
grounded in this article and the 1 other(s) covering the same event.
Calgary-Edmonton high-speed rail project moves forward with new commitments from Alberta, feds
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project → move → Alberta
Proposed rail service would get passengers from one city to the other through Red Deer in under 2 hours
Plans for high-speed rail service between Calgary and Edmonton are moving forward with new commitments from the governments of Alberta and Canada, the province announced Monday.
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province → propose → Alberta
The province says it is preparing to launch a formal process for private-sector proponents of the rail project to submit proposals.
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proponents → say → proposals
"Throughout the development of Alberta’s Passenger Rail Master Plan, we heard that a high-speed passenger rail connection between Calgary and Edmonton via Red Deer is a priority for Albertans," provincial Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen said.
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Dreeshen → hear → Albertans
Through that plan, the province found that high-speed rail service between Edmonton and Calgary through Red Deer with more than one train an hour was a "feasible" project "that could generate the greatest benefits for Alberta over 30 years."
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that → find → years
The plan, which included a rail network more than 500 kilometres long that also includes service between Calgary and Banff and all-day service to and from the Calgary and Edmonton airports,
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that → include → airports
"We are excited to move forward with this project, which will transform the way Albertans travel," Dreeshen said.
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Dreeshen → move → way
After the formal request for proposals is launched, the province plans to select a private-sector proponent for the project by April 2027, with minimal financial investment expected from the provincial government.
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investment → launch → government
With the area between Calgary, Edmonton and Red Deer home to about 80 per cent of Alberta's population, Premier Danielle Smith said connecting the three cities with high-speed rail service "would be a generational investment in Alberta’s future."
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connecting → say → future
"As our province continues to grow, we need to build the infrastructure that keeps people, businesses and our economy moving," she said.
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she → continue → infrastructure
- Alberta government eyes downtown-to-airport trains as 1st key project of passenger rail plan
- 'Timing is now' as Canmore pushes for stop in potential Calgary-Banff rail service
The province expects the proposed high-speed rail connection, going at speeds of up to 320 km/h on new rail tracks in a dedicated corridor, would get passengers between downtown Edmonton and downtown Calgary in one hour and 45 minutes.
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connection → eye → minutes
"By working with the federal government, we are taking the next steps toward a project that could strengthen one of Canada’s fastest-growing economic corridors and support Alberta’s growth for decades to come," Smith said.
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Smith → work → decades
The province's announcement on Monday also came with a commitment from the Government of Canada that the project corridor will be referred to the federal Major Projects Office.
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corridor → come → Office
The federal government says Ottawa would work with Alberta to advance the project once the province has selected a private proponent.
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province → say → proponent
“High-speed rail has great potential to reshape the way people move in Canada, and supports Alberta's economic growth, productivity and regional connectivity," said Steven MacKinnon, the federal minister of transport.
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MacKinnon → have → transport
"Today's collaboration demonstrates our shared commitment to exploring opportunities that could deliver lasting benefits for Albertans and Canadians."
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that → demonstrate → Albertans
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