Big reductions in Calgary's greenhouse gas emissions can be made with a shift away from personal vehicles and towards public transit. Did you know that energy efficiency gains are achieved with only 18 passengers riding on a light rail vehicle? That’s the “break even” point for LRT to save energy compared with 18 automobiles. At maximum capacity, the LRT is 58 times more energy efficient than driving.
Green Line will also contribute to a greener Calgary by improving the urban forest. A key factor in planning the Green Line is adding trees, green elements and natural spaces. This will enhance the streetscape environment and the experience of transit riders.
Green Line will work with City departments, like Parks, to plan an urban tree strategy. Work will include:
Green Line will plant two trees for every tree that needs to be removed for construction.
The Green Line will be built on two former dry waste landfill sites at Highfield and Ogden. To prepare for construction, about 660,000 cubic metres of waste materials and contaminated soils was removed from these sites. Now the land can safely be used for:
Work at the former Highfield Landfill site received a Remediation Certificate from the Province of Alberta.