Alberta, it’s finally happening: a high-speed transit project linking Calgary and Edmonton is coming, and we’re seriously stoked about the details.
The next-generation transit system will be Canada’s first ultra-high-speed line, making it easier than ever for citizens of the two cities to collaborate and connect.
The best part? This project is all-Canadian, facilitated by TransPod, which announced a strategic collaboration with Algoma Steel and Supreme Steel.
It has been designated by the Government of Alberta as one of the province’s major large-scale infrastructure projects, expected to create new jobs, attract investment, and strengthen long-term competitiveness.
The TransPod line will link Calgary and Edmonton via a high-speed, sustainable rail system with a 45-minute travel time.
Sebastien Gendron, co-founder and CEO at TransPod, says the project has the potential to improve relationships and ease of access between the two cities.
“The TransPod system is designed to make life easier and more connected for Albertans,” he said. “Cutting travel time between Calgary and Edmonton to under an hour expands access to opportunities across the corridor — from jobs to universities to specialized healthcare. It also makes commuting, visiting family, or attending regional events more affordable and less stressful than driving or flying. In the long run, that kind of fast, reliable connection helps communities thrive by bringing people and opportunities closer together.”
What to expect
The new Edmonton–Calgary Tube Transportation Project Test Track will be powered by FluxJet, an all-electric vehicle that will travel at more than 1,000 km/h between Calgary and Edmonton.
The TransPod Line is dubbed “the fifth mode of transportation,” a network system designed for stations in major cities with high-frequency departures, making travel fast, affordable, and safe.
Algoma Steel will provide low-carbon intensity steel for the project, a form of electric arc furnace (EAF) steelmaking that will make the project more sustainable and align with Canada’s climate objectives.
Supreme Steel, also a partner in the projects, will secure and manufacture the precision steel guideways that will carry FluxJet vehicles.
The project will have a long-term impact on Canada’s steel sector, creating domestic demand for Canadian-made steel, boosting more than C$19 billion for Alberta’s GDP, and adding up to 140,000 jobs.
TransPod will also offer fares that are approximately 44 per cent lower than current air travel flights between Calgary and Edmonton.
The project has plenty of economic potential, but creating a high-speed link between Calgary and Edmonton in 45 minutes or less will also have a significant impact on the province’s arts and culture, hospitality, and tourism sectors.
“The TransPod system will make it easier for people to experience Alberta’s arts, culture, and entertainment on both ends of the corridor,” said Gendron. “Festivals, concerts, galleries, and sports will be more accessible to larger audiences, giving local artists and cultural institutions a bigger stage. The connection will also foster collaboration between the two cities’ creative communities, attract more visitors, and showcase Alberta’s cultural vibrancy nationally and globally. Over time, this connectivity strengthens the province’s identity as a dynamic, creative hub.”
Better connection, more activities
Creating a high-speed link between Calgary and Edmonton opens up both cities to many possibilities. You can spend your morning wandering through Edmonton’s lush River Valley, then take the train to attend an evening show at Calgary’s Scotiabank Saddledome.
Alternatively, Calgarians will have increased access to live music performances offered at Edmonton’s Rogers Place. For NHL fans, a link between Calgary and Edmonton will mean an opportunity to attend more provincial home games in both cities.
Edmonton’s vast music, arts and food scenes are wide open to explore, and major festivals like the annual Calgary Stampede will be easier than ever for out-of-city residents to attend.
Hoping that Calgarians and Edmontonians will finally get along might be wishful thinking, but this new high-speed rail system definitely has a lot of potential.
It’s the future of transport, and we can’t wait for this next-generation system to be unveiled!
Related Posts:
This historic reservoir is responsible for Calgary’s fresh drinking water
We crunched the numbers: Here’s all the data on Calgary’s trick-or-treat trends
