Canada · Industrial projects
Calgary’s Green Line downtown route. How a deep tunnel became a surface plan
Calgary City Council approved a surface route for the downtown Green Line in September 2026. The decision followed a deep-tunnel plan and a provincially commissioned elevated proposal. The first 16 kilometres of the line were already a separate construction package.
Sources checked
- 2021Original Phase 1 funding approved
Downtown deep tunnel from 4 Street SE to Eau Claire Source 1
- 2024Council shortens the first phase
Tunnel retained in the shortened proposal Source 1
- December 2024Alberta publishes Baseline Elevated Concept
10 Avenue S then north on 2 Street SW to 7 Avenue S Source 1
- January 2025Council orders functional planning
Based on the elevated concept Source 1
- June 2025Southeast construction starts
Shepard to Event Centre/Grand Central Station Source 2
- 8 September 2026Executive Committee favours surface route
10 Avenue S to 2 Street SW Source 1
Show 1 more dates
- 22 September 2026City Council approves downtown alignment
Surface segment goes into design, planning and procurement Source 1
The City’s southeast construction package and its downtown route design appear as separate milestones.
The original downtown design ran in a tunnel
In 2021 Calgary’s Phase 1 plan included a deep tunnel from 4 Street SE to Eau Claire serving four underground stations. Cost risks led Council to approve a shortened Phase 1 in 2024 that retained the tunnel. The province objected to the changed ridership projection and the risks and costs of tunnelling. Source 1
An elevated option preceded the surface route
The province’s December 2024 concept proposed an elevated alignment from the Event Centre along 10 Avenue S and then north on 2 Street SW to 7 Avenue S. Council ordered functional planning in January 2025. In September 2026 the executive committee backed an at-grade line terminating at 10 Avenue and 2 Street SW and full Council approved it two weeks later. Source 1 Source 3
Southeast construction was already underway
Calgary reports $6.248 billion in commitments for Phase 1 from the city, Alberta and Canada. The scope covers about 17 kilometres and 11 stations. The southeast segment already under construction accounts for about 16 kilometres and the first 10 stations, through Event Centre/Grand Central Station. Source 2
At grade still leaves decisions about street design
The concept places tracks in the centre of 10 Avenue S. The city says lane layout, traffic signal operations and the detailed accommodation of walking and driving are part of further design. It also says the tracks will run parallel to the CPKC freight line without crossing it. Source 1 Source 2