Blue Line LRT Extension
Project update - January 2025
N.E. LRT Extension Project: Field Investigations Update
Field investigations to support the design of the NE LRT Extension from Saddletowne Station to the future 88th Avenue N.E. Station are complete.
Midcycle Budget Adjustments
On November 22 2024, the City Council approved adjustments to the 2023-2026 Service Plans and Budgets. The approved changes balances keeping property tax and water, sewer and waste and recycling fee increases as affordable as possible. The changes also make meaningful investments in priority areas that improve quality of life for Calgarians, such as infrastructure, public safety, transit and housing. A Key investment from the budget includes advancing additional design and early work for the Blue Line Extension to 88 Avenue N.E.
Project Timeline
Engineering design: Starts in spring 2024
Begin construction: To be confirmed
Contact us
Questions? Email the project team at LRTBlueLine@calgary.ca
Project overview
The Blue Line Northeast LRT extension to 88 Avenue has been identified as a priority project within RouteAhead, Calgary's 30-year strategic transit plan, approved by Calgary City Council. This extension aims to enhance transit accessibility for high-density northeast Calgary communities while facilitating smoother travel with the creation of a transfer station between the Blue Line and the Airport Terminal.
This extension is pivotal in integrating the North Central and Northeast Calgary workforces with one of the region's largest employment hubs, ensuring seamless connectivity through accessible transit. The extension also serves as a critical transfer point, linking the Blue Line LRT to the Calgary International Airport via the Airport Transit Connection.
Project area
Project features
- 1 km extension from Saddletowne Station to 88th Ave. N.E. and 60th St. N.E.
- 1 new station
- Future connection to Calgary International Airport via the Airport Transit Line
Project background
Planning for the Blue Line NE LRT extension started in 2012 extending the line with stops at 88 Avenue N.E., Country Hills Boulevard, 128 Avenue N.E. and Stonegate. The extension is identified in Route Ahead Long-Term Strategic Plans - RouteAhead (calgarytransit.com) as project that is ready to proceed to the next stage of design. The City and the Government of Alberta have allocated $14.6 million and $2 million, respectively, for project design between 2024 and 2026.
On February 29, 2024, the Government of Alberta announced an allocation of $43.3 million over three years in new construction funding for expanding the Blue Line LRT.
This extension will reach 88 Avenue N.E. The total estimated cost of the project is $160.6 million.
Benefits to Calgarians
Budget
The extension of the Blue Line LRT from the Saddletowne Station to the new station at 88th Avenue N.E. is funded through contributions from the Government of Alberta and The City of Calgary.
Other transit projects
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As part of the Rivers District Master Plan, Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC) is leading the 17th Avenue S.E. Extension and Victoria Park/Stampede Station Rebuild project. This project will connect Stampede Park to the Beltline; it is being run and funded by CMLC.
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We're making improvements to current transit services and amenities while preparing for the future Green Line LRT.