Proponents of hyperloop duorail pitching Calgary-Edmonton link

Calgary would be a development hub for an eventual hyper-fast transportation link between the city and Edmonton if a Toronto-based firm has its way.

The feasibility of a so-called hyperloop system, which would leave a Japanese bullet train in its magnet-propelled and levitated dust, could be proven at a six-kilometre test line in the transportation utility corridor on Calgary’s east side, said Sebastien Gendron, CEO of tech startup TransPod.

If all goes well and $6 billion of private sector and government investment falls into place, the elevated line would traverse 300 kilometres in central Alberta to connect the province’s two largest cities by the middle of the next decade, said Gendron.

“Travelling both ways, you lose six hours in a day and with this, you could do the same trips in an hour,” said Gendron, formerly with Bombardier Inc. and Airbus SE.

He acknowledged dreams of a high-speed rail link connecting the two cities have risen and fallen several times, but said the hyperloop concept makes this proposal more attractive.

The technology, first brainstormed by futurist entrepreneur Elon Musk in 2013, shoots sleek, aircraft-like vehicles through a vacuum tube with magnetic propulsion at speeds rivalling commercial jet aircraft.

“It’s pretty much an aircraft without wings ... its cabin is pressurized and most of the technology is coming from the aerospace industry,” said Gendron.

The company is hoping to launch a test program in France next year and is also seeking the proving line in Calgary.

But it’s land owned by the province, which hasn’t indicated it will agree to the plan, said Gendron.

Last fall, Calgary council passed a notice of motion brought by Coun. Gian-Carlo Carra to explore and possibly facilitate some kind of hyperloop development in Calgary.

“It’s pretty world-leading technology — we need to diversify our economy and we have the strengths pertaining to the skill set of our workforce,” said Carra, referring to oilpatch expertise.

“We’re initiating conversations with the province in getting the appropriate land.”

Such a project could be a good candidate for a newly approved $100-million Calgary economic development fund and there could ultimately be more than one technology ultimately involved, he added.

Gendron said the sparse population between Calgary and Edmonton would make the line less disruptive and the relatively straight, flat route easy for it to navigate.

Businesses have already expressed interest in the cargo-transport side of the hyperloop model, he said.

“We’re not talking about heavy freight, this is more the Amazons, FedEx and UPS -type cargo, there’d be savings by reducing the number of flights,” said Gendron.

For now, the proposal might seem like a pipe or tube dream to some, he said. “It’s made-in-Canada technology, it’s on track and we’ll make it happen,” said Gendron.

Officials with Alberta Transportation didn’t provide comment.