Groundbreaking study first of its kind in Canada

The Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties (AAMDC) today released a report outlining potential implications of a high speed rail line through the Edmonton-Calgary corridor.

This groundbreaking study, which focuses specifically on the rural impacts of high speed rail, is the first of its kind in Canada. The study clearly identifies impacts and presents potential mitigation strategies for a high speed rail line. It also highlights the broader need for major infrastructure projects to always take rural residents into account.

“Rural Alberta is the economic engine that drives the economy of the province,” says AAMDC President Don Johnson. “It is important to take this into consideration during major projects.”

“Our report does not comment on the feasibility or desirability of high speed rail in the province,” he says. “It simply looks to ensure that rural impacts are addressed if, or when, the project moves forward.”

Impacts identified by the study include:

• Road user impacts – including emergency vehicle access and traffic delays due to re-routing
• Commercial and economic impacts – including foregone land-use opportunities, farm severance psychological costs, farm equipment access and livestock access<
• Social and environmental impacts – including wildlife mobility, recreation, noise and vibration, as well as landscape and visual quality
• Administrative and planning impacts – Planning uncertainty, road maintenance costs and emergency services training

These impacts are all important in their own way. However, over the length of the track, different impacts will be of greater importance to local municipalities and residents than in other places. It will be important for the builder of high speed rail to address these needs.

While identifying the impacts is a good first step, the report also identifies potential ways to mitigate some of the concerns it raises.

“The report clearly shows that the best way to lessen impacts for rural municipalities and residents is to decide the route early and have clear communication,” says Johnson.

“If the province or industry plans on moving forward with high speed rail, they should decide quickly and get moving. The longer we wait, the more development will take place that may interfere with route alignments.”

Though a number of recent international studies have assessed the feasibility and impacts of high speed rail, their analyses have mostly focused on larger population centres. Prior to the AAMDC’s study, high speed rail impacts on rural communities were not adequately addressed.

The AAMDC is proud to have initiated this groundbreaking study, and the complete document is available below.

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2010 - High Speed Rail Final Report