Alberta government pledges $1.53B for Calgary’s Green Line LRT

The Alberta government has promised $1.53 billion over an eight-year period towards the first stage of construction on Calgary’s Green Line LRT.

Premier Rachel Notley said the project is a job creator.

“This important investment will create much-needed local jobs, support the quality of life in the city of Calgary and help to protect our environment now and in the future,” she said.

The province said it expects 20,000 jobs will be created by the time the first stage of the green line is complete in 2026. It expects 12,000 of those will be construction jobs.

In a statement Thursday the province said the money would come from its Climate Leadership Plan, which includes cash from the carbon levy.

WATCH BELOW: Calgary city council approves final route for next leg of Green Line LRT

1:48 Calgary City Council approves final route for next leg of Green Line LRT

The funding announcement comes after Calgary city council approved the final alignment for the transportation project in June.

The full Green Line will extend from Seton in the deep south to 160 Avenue N.

Stage one will include a tunnel from the Beltline, under the Bow River, and will run from Sheperd in the southeast to 160 Avenue N.

It’s estimated stage one of the project will cost $4.65 billion dollars, with the province covering one-third of the cost.

With files from Aurelio Perri.