Pie in sky ideas often make for the best dreams. And boy, does Alberta have a doozy of a dream: a high speed rail link between Edmonton and Calgary.
The two cities, each with a population in the million mark, and the narrow Highway 2 corridor linking them, account for nearly three-quarters of the province’s population. Two parallel asphalt ribbons connect the provincial capital with the business capital. More than 50,000 people travel the QEII each day, making the 300-odd kilometer trip for work, business or pleasure.
That’s a lot of rubber on the road, and an equally impressive amount of carbon monoxide coming out of the tailpipes.
More than any other tidbit, it’s that statistic alone that makes, and breaks, the argument for high speed rail travel between Edmonton and Calgary.
From a carbon footprint perspective, running a schedule of 300 km-h trains over existing rail lines has a real appeal. Like HOV (high occupancy vehicle) lanes, rapid mass transit encourages a more concentrated use of fossil fuels through the sardine principle – more bodies in a single can.
Such an approach lightens the $5 million annual maintenance burden on the highway link, reduces vehicle emissions and lessens the number of motor vehicle incidents.
It’s not an inexpensive solution. Lowballers set the construction costs in the $3 billion range; less optimistic reviews suggest construction could cost 10 times that much. But if a bullet train could live up to all the hype, it would be worth it.
Sadly, there will never be enough butts in seats to make the train profitable.
Albertans love their trucks too much.
There is no greater truth; all you have to do is look at the two cities.
Neither has an exceptionally good light rail system. Unlike cities such as Toronto and Vancouver, where a bike path system has been in place for decades, Edmonton and Calgary are just now making room for two-tired travellers. They are geared around gasoline and diesel powered transport. Business is spread out, giving us all ample time to stretch, get behind the wheel and pump a few more carbons out the back end.
That’s the reality of life in Alberta.
But at least we still dream big.
— T-Mac