Priority Capital Projects The Blue Line Northeast LRT Extension

The Blue Line extension will integrate the North Central and Northeast Calgary workforces with the second-largest employment hub in the Calgary region by accessible transit. The extension also provides a critical transfer point to connect the Blue Line LRT to the Calgary International Airport through the proposed Airport Transit Line.

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

Blue Line LRT expansion to 88 Ave. NE project area map
Click to enlarge image

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

  • Usage

    Estimated 3,500 passengers per weekday

  • Reduced Emissions

    Saves up to 1,500 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions a year

  • Job Creation

    Estimated 771 regional jobs during construction

  • Improved mobility

    Estimated 11,000 Calgarians living within 800m of the station in 2048

    Estimated 1,200 jobs within 800m of the station in 2028

  • Service Enhancements

    Serves new and developing communities and will be the transfer station between the Blue Line and Airport Transit Line

    Improves travel time and reliability converting from bus to LRT.

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.

City of Calgary
Alberta Government

Other transit projects

Related information

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