A major funding announcement came from all three levels of government on the future of transit across Alberta Saturday.
Politicians took a ride on Calgary Transit to announce that $500 million will be chipped in from all levels of government, not only for the Green Line in the city of Calgary, but for a total of 89 projects across Alberta.
READ MORE: $1.95B Green Line LRT tunnel approved in principle by Calgary councillors
“In the very near future the city will again be the economic powerhouse and dynamic business centre of western Canada. Our government is committed to helping Calgary to respond when that happens with major infrastructure spending on the services that Calgarian’s need,” Brian Mason, the Alberta infrastructure minister, said.
The Green Line would wind from North Pointe to Seton, adding 40 kilometres of track to the existing 59-kilometre LRT system. It’s estimated it would serve 41 million passengers annually.
In total, the Calgary Green Line will be getting nearly $260 million, $92 million of which will come from the government of Alberta’s “Green Trip” program.
The province will contribute another $55 million through the public transit infrastructure fund.
“They’re not only investments in mobility, they’re investments in the environment, they’re investments in social mobility by helping people get to school and work without needing a car. And they’re investments in connection in helping people feel like a part of the community where they belong,” Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi said.
The federal government will contribute $111 million toward preparing the land for when the Green Line is eventually built.
This funding is part of the first phase of “Investing in Canada”, according to the government of Canada and its plan to support public infrastructure across the country.
The federal government said the long-term infrastructure plan will channel more than $180 billion over 12-years into public transit, green and social infrastructure, and transportation infrastructure that supports trade, as well as rural and northern communities.
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