Green Line Update - July 2019

Last night, the Green Line team presented at the combined meeting of Council and received approval to move forward with the project. Here’s what you need to know:

Project Delivery Strategy

The City will deliver Stage 1 of the Green Line through two main Design-Build-Finance (DBF) construction contracts:

Segment 1 - 4 Street S.E. to 126 Avenue S.E.

Segment 2 – 16 Avenue N. to 4 Street S.E.

Benefits of this strategy include:

80% of Stage 1 that makes up segment 1 is ready to go

Provides a six-month review period for Segment 2 between 16 Avenue N and Ramsay

Reduces risk of increasing construction costs over time and takes advantage of current construction pricing

Begins creation of 12,000 direct construction jobs and 8,000 indirect jobs.

Planning between 16 Avenue N and Ramsay

Stage 1 has been divided into two segments. Segment 2 between 16 Avenue N and Ramsay requires a design review and further discussion with communities to ensure that we are meeting the original vision while staying within the total Stage 1 project budget. Four key elements are being reviewed:

How would a bridge over the bow river work?

How do we shallow up the tunnel through the core?

How and where does the tunnel come to surface in the Beltline/Victoria Park?

How do we connect the Beltline to Ramsay?

The City will only move forward with construction of Segment 1 once there is certainty around the plan, and details for Segment 2 from 16 Avenue N to Ramsay.

You can find more detailed information about the Green Line’s Delivery Strategy here.

Technical and Risk Review

The Green Line team is in the process of confirming an independent Technical & Risk Committee. Members are expected to have experience in the areas of procurement, commercial strategy, stakeholder management, design and tunnel construction for mega projects. Over the next two years, they will assist administration by advising on issues as they arise and identifying early key project risks and potential mitigation strategies. Their expertise will support the project through its next stages.

Preparing for Future Stages

Council also recommended that the Green Line team prepare for future stages and improvements to existing transit service by:

Continuing land assembly north of Stage 1 on an opportunity basis

Developing a scoping study to examine opportunities for improvements to interim rapid transit services from North Pointe south along the Centre Street corridor

Advocating for future stages funding with our Funding Partners

Next Steps

The City will continue moving forward with the project review in Segment 2 from 16 Avenue N to Ramsay, with an expected completion date for the review of January 2020. The project team will also prepare to Release the Request for Qualifications for Segment 1 (4 Street S.E. to 126 Avenue S.E.) in August 2019. More information to come over the summer and fall!

For the latest project news and opportunities to get involved, check back regularly at Calgary.ca/GreenLine. Follow the Green Line story on Twitter @yyctransport #GreenLineYYC or email greenline@calgary.ca for further questions.