Stage 1 of the Green Line LRT is estimated to cost $4.6B. Stage 1 of the Green Line LRT will stretch from 16th Ave North to Shepard Station in the SE.
Funding to Date
City of Calgary Funding
In 2013 Council made the decision to dedicate $52M annually over 10 years to the Green Line. While the decision to dedicate this funding to the project was controversial at the time, it has proven critical to move the LRT forward. By taking a leadership role on Green Line funding, the City of Calgary was able to attract funding from the other orders of government.
On December 14, 2015 Council agreed to extend the original commitment of $52M annually from 10 years to 30 years. By making this extension the City of Calgary was able to secure $1.56B in funding for the Green Line without raising taxes on Calgarians.
Government of Canada Funding
On July 24, 2015 the Government of Canada made a historic funding announcement committing $1.53B to the Green Line LRT. This funding was contingent on matching funds from the Provincial and Municipal Governments. This funding announcement was the largest ever contribution by the Government of Canada to an infrastructure project in Alberta.
The funding announcement specifically outlined that the Federal Government would contribute one-third of the project costs up to $1.53B. This funding would be available when the City of Calgary made a formal application that satisfied a set of criteria established by the Federal Government.
On October 19, 2015 Canadians elected a Liberal majority government. Throughout the campaign the Liberals confirmed that they would honour the Green Line LRT funding commitment from the previous government. On May 15, 2018 Prime Minister Trudeau formally announced that the federal government would make good on their investment completing the last component of the funding mix for Stage 1 of the project.
Government of Alberta Funding
On July 6, 2017 the Province of Alberta announced that they would contribute $1.53B over 8 years to Stage 1 of the Green Line LRT. This funding announcement completed the required funding for Stage 1 of the project. Construction is set to begin in 2019/2020 with Stage 1 projected to being operational by 2026.