Alberta Regional Rail Inc. (ARR) is promoting a proposal to restore modern passenger and commuter rail service along the Calgary-Edmonton corridor, a 300-kilometer route that once carried up to 80,000 passengers annually before its closure in 1985. The revival of passenger rail service in this corridor depends fundamentally on improving safety and operational reliability; historical data show that collisions at grade crossings have resulted in numerous fatalities, service disruptions, and economic losses, which ultimately contributed to the suspension of the Dayliner service. Therefore, grade separation is identified as a necessary condition for any future rail system.

 

This report presents a strategic and technical Road over Rail Bridge Analysis solutions to eliminate at-grade crossings along the Calgary-Edmonton corridor. Three bridge types are evaluated: property access bridges, rural highway bridges, and urban bridges, based on conceptual geometric design parameters, constructability, environmental impact, and a high-level cost analysis (Class D or 4 – ROM).

 

The methodology incorporates Canadian design standards (CSA S6-19, TAC, Alberta HGDG), best practices for constructability, and cost estimation frameworks (AACE 18R 97).

 

Link to Study