Prairie Link Welcomes Referral of Alberta High-Speed Rail to the Major Projects Office

Prairie Link's seven-station proposal would connect downtown Calgary and Edmonton through Airdrie, Red Deer and both international airports

Calgary, AB, Sept. 29, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Prairie Link High Speed Rail Partners welcomes the referral of Alberta's High-Speed Rail transformative strategy to the federal Major Projects Office. The referral regarding the Calgary-Red Deer-Edmonton high-speed rail corridor was announced by the Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada, on behalf of Minister of Transport Steven MacKinnon, alongside Premier Danielle Smith and Devin Dreeshen, Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors.

Prairie Link has been developing its proposal since 2021 through engineering, ridership and financial analysis. Its partnership brings together Indigenous equity ownership and the capital, design, engineering, construction, development and operating expertise needed to deliver high-speed rail. The proposal is being advanced with an investment framework designed to attract private capital and align with Alberta's requirement that the project proceed with minimal provincial taxpayer funding.

The roughly 295-kilometre route would connect downtown Calgary and downtown Edmonton via Red Deer, with seven stations at downtown Calgary, Calgary International Airport, Airdrie, Red Deer, Edmonton International Airport, south Edmonton and downtown Edmonton. Trains travelling at more than 300 kilometres per hour would make the downtown-to-downtown trip in about 90 minutes, compared with three hours or more by car. The proposed route, stations and commuter services align with Alberta's Passenger Rail Master Plan.

"This is great news for Albertans and for Canada," said Joey Comeau, President, EllisDon Capital Services, on behalf of Prairie Link. "Premier Smith and Minister Dreeshen have shown real leadership in moving high-speed rail forward, and with the federal government now working alongside Alberta, this project has the momentum it needs. Prairie Link is ready, and we look forward to working with both governments to bring high-speed rail to Albertans."

Premier Smith and Minister Dreeshen's Passenger Rail Master Plan set out a clear, phased vision for passenger rail in Alberta. Federal Minister of Transport Steven MacKinnon and Transport Canada are working alongside the province to advance that vision.

Prairie Link is co-owned and co-led by CGC Infrastructure Holdings Ltd., an infrastructure holding company of Chiniki First Nation ("CGC Infrastructure"), EllisDon and AECOM. The partners bring nation-leading expertise in capital, design, engineering, construction management, development and operations. CGC Infrastructure, an equity and pre-development partner, supports economic reconciliation through ownership, partnership and participation. EllisDon is an employee-owned global construction services and technology company. AECOM is a global infrastructure leader recognized by ReNew Canada in 2026 for its participation in 38 of the country's Top 100 infrastructure projects.

"Yesterday's announcement is an important step forward for high-speed rail in Alberta," said Paul Bassi, SVP, AECOM. "AECOM is proud to be part of the Prairie Link partnership and bring our experience delivering major transportation projects to this effort. We look forward to working with our partners and governments to help move this project forward and bring high-speed rail to Albertans."

"This great Province and Nation building initiative holds massive potential to unlock economic opportunities for the Indigenous peoples in Alberta," said Chief Aaron Young, Chair of CGC Infrastructure, on behalf of Prairie Link. "Ensuring equity participation of Indigenous peoples from day one is meaningful and greatly increases the prospects of successful project delivery. Prairie Link looks forward to ensuring participation and maximizing opportunities for Indigenous peoples throughout Alberta."

The Calgary-Red Deer-Edmonton corridor is home to about 80 per cent of Alberta's population, which is expected to double over the next six decades. Advancing Prairie Link represents significant direct and indirect investment in the province. High-speed rail would ease pressure on the QEII, Alberta's busiest highway, which carries 80,000 to 90,000 vehicles daily on its busiest stretch. Faster travel would expand access to jobs and talent across the corridor, seven station districts would create room for new homes near fast transit, and electric trains would offer a cleaner way to travel between the two cities.

"This is a generational investment that reflects a long-term vision for Albertans. The opportunities created through this project will extend far beyond its immediate economic impact, helping to build prosperity, strengthen our community, and create a lasting legacy for future generations," said Comeau.

Prairie Link would extend the benefits of high-speed rail to Western Canada and complement the federal government's national high-speed rail agenda.

"Albertans have been talking about high-speed rail between Calgary and Edmonton since the 1980s," added Comeau. "With federal and provincial governments now aligned on the corridor, and a proven team already in place, there has never been a better moment to get it built."

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About Prairie Link High Speed Rail

Prairie Link High Speed Rail Partners is a partnership between CGC Infrastructure Holdings Ltd., an infrastructure holding company of Chiniki First Nation, EllisDon and AECOM, together nation-leading experts in capital, design, engineering, construction management, development and operations. The partnership is developing high-speed passenger rail between Calgary and Edmonton, a project in development since 2021. www.prairielink.ca

MEDIA CONTACT

Dustin Luchka

Vice President, Marketing & Communications

EllisDon Corporation

dluchka@ellisdon.com / (905) 896-8900

Dustin Luchka
EllisDon Corporation
dluchka@ellisdon.com