The following is a joint Statement from Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek, Councillor Andre Chabot and Councillor Peter Demong on the Province’s Proposal for the Green Line LRT
CALGARY, AB, December 19, 2024 – As Calgary City Council’s representatives on the joint working group with the province, we are reiterating Council’s call for an immediate convening of the Reimagined Green Line Program Working Group to address critical issues regarding the proposed downtown alignment, including shared risks and cost overruns.
We only have one opportunity to get this right, and we must carefully consider the legacy this proposal would leave in the downtown core and Beltline community. We owe it to Calgarians today and for generations to come to make decisions that reflect collective insight and careful deliberation.
Along with concerns addressed in the letter, we need to determine if an elevated Green Line through the heart of the City is desirable for residents and even possible. The AECOM report has notably not completed a “detailed constructability review” nor a “structural analysis.” This omission raises serious questions about the feasibility of constructing an elevated Green Line through Calgary’s downtown core.
Additionally, the report indicates that the potential noise impact and the effects of an above-ground train through our downtown have only been superficially considered. The prospect of increased noise pollution is a serious issue that could affect the quality of life for our residents and the daily operations of our downtown businesses.
The alignment proposed by the government carries with it numerous risks that have been acknowledged in the report. These include not only construction and technical risks but also potential long-term impacts on our communities and businesses. We find it imperative to address these risks comprehensively.
We are uncomfortable with the current level of uncertainty and risk associated with the proposed alignment and must have real discussions with the province before bringing this proposal back to Council.
More thorough evaluations and discussions are necessary. We stand firm in our commitment to ensuring that any progress on the Green Line LRT project is conducted with the highest standards of due diligence and public engagement. Our priority remains to safeguard the interests of Calgarians and ensure that any development enhances our city without compromising its integrity and livability.
We urge all stakeholders involved to take these concerns seriously and to work collaboratively towards a solution that truly benefits the city of Calgary.
View the letter sent to Premier Smith on behalf of Calgary City Council below.