Canada Alberta High-Speed Rail

Canada has a large and well-developed railway system consisting of over 30,700 miles total trackage, of which only 80 miles is electrified. The rail transport industry is an important element of Canada’s transportation system, which generates approximately $10 billion per year.  The overwhelming majority of revenues comes from rail freight operations. At the same time, provinces across Canada are advancing and investing in new high-speed rail developments.    

Alberta is proposing a high-speed rail project named “Prairie Link,” connecting the cities of Edmonton, Calgary, and Red Deer. Estimated to cost around $9 billion, the project is in the pre-development phase and construction is expected to commence in 2023. The project is expected to be privately funded, developed, and owned. Consultations with city managers, airports, and indigenous communities are ongoing.

EllisDon (a Canadian firm) and AECOM (a U.S. firm) have partnered on the project. Both companies are significant players in the construction and infrastructure development sectors. EllisDon received a memorandum of understanding (MOU) from Alberta Transportation outlining a cooperative relationship between Prairie Link and the Government of Alberta. 

Please note U.S. companies seeking procurement opportunities in the project should be aware of Prairie Link’s intent to “secure the team it will take to permit, design, build, and operate, as well as the debt and equity required, from Alberta.”

The U.S. Commercial Service in Calgary is closely following the progression of this project and other developments within the transportation sector. For more information, and to find current procurement opportunities with EllisDon or AECOM, please contact: Commercial Specialist Connie Haider