Bow Transit Connectors, a joint venture between Barnard Constructors of Canada and Flatiron Constructors Canada, has been tapped to develop Phase 1 of the Green Line light rail transit project in Calgary, Alberta. Bow WSP Canada is the design partner.

The overall project is the largest infrastructure investment in Calgary’s history, according to the project website, and has $5.5 billion in commitments from the Government of Canada, Government of Alberta and the City of Calgary. Phase 1 of the new Green Line will run for 11 miles from Shepard to Eau Claire with 15 stations.

During the 12- to 16-month development phase, members of Calgary’s Green Line team and Bow Transit Connectors will collaborate to develop the project design and determine project costs, risk balance and the overall construction schedule, before executing a separate project agreement to build the line. The goal of the development phase is to mitigate problems that can arise later in the project, per the project website. 

The cost for Phase 1 is undetermined at this time, Flatiron spokesperson Mike Swenson said in an email, but will be determined during the development phase.

When complete, the final Green Line will have 29 stations spanning 29 miles and will integrate into the rest of Calgary's wind-powered CTrain system. The new line has been in the works for about four decades.

Development work on Phase 1 starts this month and implementation is slated to begin in 2024, according to the project website. Should inflated costs and other risks not materialize during the first phase, the Green Line Board will make a decision on timing and direction for Phase 2, per the project website, but a timeline for that decision has not been set.