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Calgary would be a development hub for an eventual hyper-fast transportation link between the city and Edmonton if a Toronto-based firm has its way.

The feasibility of a so-called hyperloop system, which would leave a Japanese bullet train in its magnet-propelled and levitated dust, could be proven at a six-kilometre-long test line in the transportation utility corridor on the city’s east side, said Sebastien Gendron, CEO of tech startup TransPod.

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If all goes well and $6 billion of private sector-government investment falls into place, the elevated line would traverse 300 kilometres in central Alberta to connect the province’s two largest cities by the middle of the next decade, said Gendron.

“Travelling both ways, you lose six hours in a day and with this, you could do the same trips in an hour,” said Gendron, formerly with Bombardier Inc. and Airbus SE.

He acknowledged dreams of a high-speed rail link connecting the two cities have risen and fallen several times, but said the hyperloop concept makes this proposal more attractive.

The technology, first brainstormed by futurist entrepreneur Elon Musk in 2013, shoots sleek, aircraft-like vehicles through a vacuum tube with magnetic propulsion at speeds rivaling commercial jet aircraft.

“It’s pretty much an aircraft without wings … its cabin is pressurized and most of the technology is coming from the aerospace industry,” said Gendron.

Photo by Courtesy Transpod

The company is hoping to launch a test program in France next year and is also seeking a proving line in Calgary, possibly along the transportation utility corridor on the city’s east side.

But it’s land owned by the province, which hasn’t indicated it’d agree to the plan, said Gendron.

Last fall, city council passed a notice of motion brought by Coun. Gian-Carlo Carra to explore and possibly facilitate some kind of hyperloop development in Calgary.

“It’s pretty world-leading technology — we need to diversify our economy and we have the strengths pertaining to the skill set of our workforce,” said Carra, referring to oilpatch expertise.

“We’re initiating conversations with the province in getting the appropriate land.”

Such a project could be a good candidate for a newly approved $100-million Calgary economic development fund and there could ultimately be more than one technology ultimately involved, he added.