News Release
Alberta delivers on Edmonton LRT funding
Budget 2014 enables Alberta to commit additional resources to help launch the early stages of the Edmonton Valley Line LRT project.
The Redford Government is providing some early assurances in support of the Valley Line LRT to help ensure this visionary project, which involves both municipal and federal partners, moves ahead in a timely matter.
The province has committed:
up to $250 million under GreenTRIP over three years beginning in 2016-17 upon approval under the second call for GreenTRIP projects,
up to $150 million in matching provincial funding if the federal government approves this project under the new Building Canada Fund beginning in 2016-17, and
up to $200 million in an interest-free loan to be repaid by the city over 10 years, fully backed by the Alberta Capital Finance Authority (ACFA).
“Alberta is preparing to welcome a million new residents over the next decade, many of whom will be choosing communities like Edmonton as their home. Our Building Alberta Plan is helping municipalities build public transit systems to accommodate growth and make it easier for Albertans of all ages and levels of mobility to get where they need to go.”
– Alison Redford, Premier
“This is great news for the City of Edmonton and the entire Capital region. Our constituents have told us time and time again that they want access to a world class transit system and this funding arrangement proves the Redford government is committed to achieving this goal.”
– Ken Lemke, Chair of Capital Region Caucus and MLA for Stony Plain
“This is one substantive commitment reflecting the constructive relationship between the Government of Alberta and municipalities.”
– Ken Hughes, Minister of Municipal Affairs
“Municipalities can start sharpening their pencils as we invite the second call for GreenTRIP applications starting April 15, 2014, and we are excited to see more innovative and sustainable projects in communities across Alberta. We are also looking forward to the opening of Edmonton’s Metro LRT Line, which is Alberta’s largest GreenTRIP-funded project, by this summer.”
– Wayne Drysdale, Minister of Transportation
Albertans are already seeing the benefits of GreenTRIP through 15 new transit projects, worth more than $1 billion, which have already been approved since the first call for applications. Just under $1 billion remains in the program.
GreenTRIP is one of the many programs municipalities can access to support their local priorities. Municipalities can apply for GreenTRIP funding to help purchase transit vehicles and technologies, build transit terminals and expand light rail transit services.
Under the Building Alberta Plan, our government is investing in families and communities, living within our means, and opening new markets for Alberta’s resources to ensure we’re able to fund the services Albertans told us matter most to them. We will continue to deliver the responsible change Albertans voted for.
Pinoy Edmonton News 