Alberta, the westernmost of Canada's three prairie provinces is located along the east side of the Rocky Mountains, bordered by British Columbia to the west, Saskatchewan to the east, the Northwest Territories to the north and the US state of Montana to the south. The proposed Alberta high-speed rail link connects Alberta's three largest cities in the southwest part of the province. Red Deer, with a population of 100,000 lies at the centre of the link with Calgary, 150 kilometers South, and Edmonton 150 kilometers north. Calgary and Edmonton each have a population exceeding 1,000,000. The three cities form the major economic center for the province.

The Greenfield Route

The Greenfield Route is the name given to the alignment that lies largely on undeveloped land, the majority of which is farmland. The basic alignment was identified in a study undertaken by the Government of Alberta in 1984. It will run about a mile west of Highway #2, and will provide a nearly straight alignment suitable for 300 km/hr electric train operation over the entire length between Airdrie and Nisku. The system will be a dedicated, double-track passenger line. Bridges will be used to separate the roads from the railway and the entire route will be fenced for safety. Three stations are planned for each of Edmonton and Calgary, and one for Red Deer. Service will run non-stop between the three cities. The proposed Red Deer station would be located about 1.5 kilometers west of the city.

Edmonton Access

To access downtown Edmonton, proceeding north from Nisku (the Edmonton International Airport), the railway will cross to the east side of Highway # 2 and enter on the west side of the CPR right-of-way north of the Airport. A suburban station with large parking facilities will be provided in Edmonton. Continuing north on the west side of the freight tracks to Whyte Avenue, it will then move onto the Province of Alberta right-of-way (formerly a CPR right-of-way) across the High Level Bridge to the next station adjacent to the Grandin LRT Station (Government Centre). It is proposed to extend the line, by way of a new tunnel, to the CN OfficeTower, where there is the ability to provide access to downtown Edmonton.This terminus at the CN Office Tower will allow future connections to the north of the province, when the extension of the railway is necessary.

Calgary Access

In a similar manner, from Airdrie south, the route will run on the west side of the CPR right-of-way, but on its own track, separated from CPR freight trains by a fence. A station and large parking lot will be provided near 96th Avenue North and Deerfoot Trail. The alignment continues south in the CPR right-of-way, toward the downtown. Crossing the Bow River on a new bridge, the line will proceed between 9th Avenue and 10th Avenue, to a station in the vicinity of Palliser Square. It is proposed to extend the line to the west, to terminate under Crowchild Trail Bridge, adjacent to a future LRT station and the existing Greyhound Bus Terminal.