Price tag pegged at $49B for Calgary’s capital infrastructure needs over next decade
CBC
Ten billion dollars for transit. Nearly $9 billion to fix crumbling roads and pathways.
It all adds up to a likely expensive decade ahead for Calgary, with $49 billion needed to build, replace or maintain roads, bridges, rail lines and water systems, according to a new city report.
The city’s aging infrastructure — and how much it will cost to fix it — has come under renewed scrutiny in recent months, especially after the second catastrophic break of the Bearspaw south feeder main.
The estimates come in a progress update to the 10-year capital infrastructure plan. It will be presented at council’s infrastructure committee hearing Wednesday.
There are still some departments not included in the plan, like police, meaning the price tag is likely to grow, said Coun. Jennifer Wyness.
Transit is the biggest ticket item according to the report, with $10.4 billion in capital infrastructure needs through 2035.
That includes $1.5 billion for a rail connection to the Calgary International Airport, and another billion to extend the Red Line LRT further south. It does not include infrastructure for the upcoming Green Line LRT, for which capital has already been approved.
Roads and pathways clock in as the second most expensive need, with $8.7 billion needed over the next 10 years.
About a third of the city’s roads are in fair to poor condition, according to the report. Upgrades are also needed for bridges, sidewalks, street lights and traffic lights.
The report identifies $5 billion needed for the city’s water system, to upgrade and safeguard feeder mains, pumping stations and treatment facilities.
It also says $2 billion is needed for recreation, to update aquatic centres, fieldhouses, parks and arenas.
“I think higher taxes [are] definitely going to be part of the conversation,” said Coun. Nathaniel Schmidt.
He said council will need to do the math on projects it can afford versus what it cannot, and will require funding help from the provincial and federal governments.
Coun. Raj Dhaliwal says everything needs to be on the table for council to figure out how to pay for it all. If that means property tax increases, he says it's important to avoid it becoming politicized.
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