[EdmTrekker]

Before and during the election Notley (and other partly leaders) was traveling a lot between Edmonton and Calgary, where btw most Albertans live. So what train would Notley take in Alberta?

Back in the 1970's the Alberta government (conservative at the time) bought an airline, but I don't think they or any provincial government after ever did anything to preserve or enhance rail service to communities in Alberta.

This is all left to the Feds and VIA, who to no surprise, seem to focus mostly on central Canada.

But the Provincial Government did before.

" Provincial ownership
In 1920, the lines owned by J.D. McArthur entered financial difficulties following the First World War. Coinciding with the problems faced by the McArthur lines (ED&BC, A&GW, and CCR), both the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway (GTPR) and Canadian Northern Railway (CNoR) had fallen victim to similar circumstances brought about by the financial strain of the conflict and falling traffic levels. The Dominion government had nationalized the GTPR and CNoR, along with other previously federally owned lines into the Canadian National Railways.

Following the federal example, and in an attempt to preserve rail service to northern and northwestern Alberta, the provincial government leased the ED&BC and CCR in 1920 for five years. In 1921 the government entered into a five-year agreement with the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) to operate the ED&BC and CCR.

In 1920, the provincial government purchased the A&GW outright and chose to operate it separately.[4]"

Northern Alberta Railways - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[SarcasticMarmot]

Meanwhile, republican state senators in FLORIDA pushing forward bills promoting new brightline (privately owned and operated intercity rail line between Miami and Orlando) expansions that would be partly funded by the state. As someone who’s quite progressive myself, the ANDP’s apparent lack of interest in non-car transportation really baffles me.

It's important to remember that the NDP's pocketbook is located deep in the status quo/NIMBY core of central SFH neighborhoods. This is true across Canada. The NDP is not an urbanist party and has rarely shown serious interest in mass transit, density, or city design beyond the protection of union jobs. The ANDP could have used stimulus dollars in 2015 to start building rail but instead invested it in massive highway expansion. I suspect if rail every does get built it will be from the Conservative side as a way for some of their donors to profit, like the private group pushing the Banff/Calgary rail which is made up of major UCP donors.

 

[IanO]

A good read with important revelations.

Losing track: The importance of passenger rail corridors

What does it mean for Canada if we continue to pull up train tracks?

canadiangeographic.ca

 

[occidentalcapital]

It's important to remember that the NDP's pocketbook is located deep in the status quo/NIMBY core of central SFH neighborhoods. This is true across Canada. The NDP is not an urbanist party and has rarely shown serious interest in mass transit, density, or city design beyond the protection of union jobs. The ANDP could have used stimulus dollars in 2015 to start building rail but instead invested it in massive highway expansion. I suspect if rail every does get built it will be from the Conservative side as a way for some of their donors to profit, like the private group pushing the Banff/Calgary rail which is made up of major UCP donors.

Astute observation.

 

[David A]

The NDP was in power in Alberta for 4 of the last approximately 50 years and zero of the last 50 years Federally. So, they would be about the last to blame about not having high speed rail anywhere in Alberta or Canada.

 

[Barnaby]

The NDP was in power in Alberta for 4 of the last approximately 50 years and zero of the last 50 years Federally. So, they would be about the last to blame about not having high speed rail anywhere in Alberta or Canada.

This would be a good point, if our urbanist expectations of the UCP weren't so damn low. At this point I would take a vanity project from either party, but they are both to blame. The NDP is the opposition party, and the loudest critics in the opposition spend zero time pushing for these things.

Any criticism of the NDP shouldn't be viewed as picking on a specific party, I just have higher expectations for the party that supposedly represents working class people in cities.

I genuinely don't care which party fixes these issues with transport. I'll support them on that.

 

[SarcasticMarmot]

The NDP was in power in Alberta for 4 of the last approximately 50 years and zero of the last 50 years Federally. So, they would be about the last to blame about not having high speed rail anywhere in Alberta or Canada.

I don't think anyone was blaming the NDP for the current state of rail. Just observing that it's not an area that the party has shown any serious interest in and that we can't really expect them to push the issue forward. Hopefully that changes.

 

[Didama]

MSN

I'm not commenting on the likelihood of hyperloop being a real thing any time soon (if ever) but you gotta admit the theoretical impact of a technology like this would be pretty mind blowing.

 

[Platinum107]

MSN

I'm not commenting on the likelihood of hyperloop being a real thing any time soon (if ever) but you gotta admit the theoretical impact of a technology like this would be pretty mind blowing.

For sure, and I do want to see the tech develop, but it's going to take a long time imo.

 

[Yeggy]

Meh,

For sure, and I do want to see the tech develop, but it's going to take a long time imo.

Just build a maglev. We already have the technology.

 

[Greenspace]

Is this actually starting construction next year?

 

[archited]

So the man says -- the question that wasn't asked was where does the current design and logistics stand vis-a-vis "pre-construction" -- land rights, etc.

 

[degrandprix]

They said the initial test line will go from heritage valley/capital line south terminus. Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't this the first time they've actually said where the test track would be starting from? I thought all the previous media releases just said "test track to the airport".

Maybe that means they actually have something in place in terms of land rights?

 

[SMayo]

Is this actually starting construction next year?

unless they've had a miraculous breakthrough in technology and engineering then no.

 

[EdmTrekker]

A concern from what he said was the test track would go to Heritage Valley for LRT proximity. The Government of Alberta could very well leave it there for decades without further stops or into downtown. Is this the best route that is good for Edmonton? Where is the route beyond Heritage if 60% of cargo is freight ... freight coming from where and going to where? Does the City have other route options for other types of trains? Let's hope the GoA and Feds do not sink $$$SS into a project that is neither viable freight wise or serve the best interests of passengers in Edmonton including downtown workers getting to YEG/EIA (and not YYC airport).