The Green Line is a visionary project
The Beltline Neighbourhoods Association is pleased to have had an opportunity to collaborate with the City of Calgary’s Green Line team as a stakeholder over the past several years. Through our Beltline Urban Development Committee (BUDC), we have had a chance to share our insights and the perspectives of the community on numerous occasions though a variety of mediums including public open houses, workshops, and participation in public hearings of Calgary City Council and its standing policy committees.
As a community, we are excited about the Green Line’s huge potential to bring about meaningful change to the Beltline through connectivity and investment in our civic infrastructure. Visionary projects on the scale of the Green Line constitute a rare opportunity to make a significant difference to our City and the importance of making the right decisions to arrive at the best outcomes for all Calgarians is not lost on us. While undoubtedly the most challenging segment, we also view the portion of the alignment that passes through Centre City to be of critical importance. Ultimately, we believe that getting the Beltline and Downtown sections right is fundamental to ensuring the success of the entire system.
Challenges with the previous Downtown alignment
The Green Line alignment previously approved by City Council in June 2017 included a bored tunnel from 16 Avenue North to East Victoria Park along 12 Avenue South with an underground transition to 10 Avenue SE and portal to a surface station at 4 Street SE adjacent to the CP Rail right-of-way. However, we understand the Downtown and Beltline alignments were re-evaluated for the following reasons:
- The technical risks and potential for cost overruns associated with deep tunneling under the Bow River and subsequent deep underground stations Downtown and in the Beltline would tie up an impractical portion of the project budget simply managing risk.
- The placement of stations up to seven-stories below ground would have negatively impacted the convenience and accessibility of the Green Line Downtown and in the Beltline from a transit user perspective.
City of Calgary rendering of Beltline underground station entrance
New opportunities
Recognizing the significant challenges associated with the alignment previously adopted by Council, we have supported the Green Line Project Team’s revisiting of the design, especially in light of new developments in East Victoria Park, including:
- The new Stampede / Victoria Park Red Line LRT station scheduled to open in 2023
- The BMO Centre Expansion scheduled to open in 2024
- The new arena in East Victoria Park at 12 Avenue and 4 Street SE scheduled to open 2024
Full underground through Beltline
On January 28th, the Green Line Team proposed a revised alignment for the Green Line from 16th Avenue North to East Victoria Park. The proposal keeps most of the previous alignment but would travel over the Bow River, instead of under. Without having to tunnel deep under the river the project is able to instead build a much shallower cut-and-cover route under 2 Street SW downtown and under the CP Rail tracks to 11 Avenue in the Beltline. Cut-and-cover is a lower risk and lower cost construction option with more convenient access for transit riders.
We believe that this alignment creates significant opportunities for city building in east Beltline and will encourage and support development.
City of Calgary proposed updated stage 1 alignment through the Beltline underground along 11 Avenue S.
The proposed new alignment would maximize the following benefits and opportunities:
- Lower project cost and risk with cut-and-cover over the previous bored tunnel underground alignment.
- Better access and proximity to the new arena and BMO Convention Centre
- More convenient passenger transfer from the Green Line to the new Red Line at Victoria Park Station.
- Stronger integration with Beltline residents and businesses without disruption to existing transportation modes
- Improved access to stations one floor below street level rather than the previous deep stations associated with the deep bore tunnel alignment.
Don’t be fooled by calls to hack and slash
The Beltline is an integral part of the lives of most Calgarians, and home to 25,000 people and the second highest concentration of offices in the city – who contribute significantly to the City’s property tax revenues. We think it is essential that the Green Line development be considered thoughtfully everywhere in the city and would argue that how it travels through and engages with the Beltline will be key to its success or failure. Calls to skip the Beltline and Downtown or run the line up Nose Creek are ill-advised.
City of Calgary map showing proposed new Stage 1 alignment (green) beside previous Council-approved alignment (yellow).
Let’s make sure Council follows through
In light of the exciting new developments since 2017 in East Victoria Park (new arena, BMO Centre Expansion, Victoria Park Station) and the new proposed Downtown and Beltline full underground alignment, the BNA fully supports the new Green Line plan. Though much still needs to be ironed out to ensure good station design, an appropriate bridge design over the Bow River, and a positive urban streetscape on Centre Street, the new proposal demonstrates that Council can now make good on the vision of the Green Line. Let’s make sure they follow through.
Help make sure City Council Follows Through on the Green Line!
Help us make sure City Council follows through on this new plan for the Green Line. Please provide your feedback and support online and/or at the open houses listed below.
Provide Your Feedback to the City Online
City of Calgary Green Line Open House Dates
The City is hosting four open houses on the new proposed alignment for the Green Line. Be sure to stop to provide your feedback and support.
They will have staff, from various technical disciplines, on hand to share information and answer your questions.
Wednesday, March 4
4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Decidedly Jazz Danceworks (BELTLINE)
111 12 Avenue S.E.
Thursday, March 5
4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
White Diamond Conference Centre
130 3 Avenue S.E.
Saturday, March 7
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sheraton Hotel
255 Barclay Parade S.W.
Sunday, March 8
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Crescent Heights Community Association
1101 2 Street N.W.
If you cannot make the open house in your community, please attend the event that suits you best; the same information will be available at all of our open houses.
City Green Line Info Pop-Ups
The City is also hosting various Green Line pop-ups. Pop in any time to learn about the updated Stage 1 alignment, speak with staff and provide your feedback. Information available at the pop-up will be similar to what is currently online.
Wednesday, February 12
11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
914 Centre Street N.
Tuesday, February 18
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Eau Claire Market
Wednesday, February 19
11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
914 Centre Street N.
Saturday, February 22
1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Remington YMCA at Quarry Park
108 Quarry Park Road S.E.
Saturday, February 22
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Brookfield Residential YMCA at Seton
4995 Market Street S.E.
Wednesday, February 26
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
914 Centre Street N.
Wednesday, February 26
3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Vivo for Healthier Generations
11950 Country Village Link N.E.
Thursday, February 27
3:30 p.m. to 6p.m.
Anderson LRT Station
Saturday, February 29
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Thornhill Aquatic & Recreation Centre
6715 Centre Street N.W.
Wednesday, March 4
9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
914 Centre Street N.