Alberta is one step closer to getting its own ultra-high-speed transportation line, which will take passengers from Calgary to Edmonton in under 30 minutes.

On Tuesday, the province announced that it will lend its support to a feasibility study on the proposed Edmonton-Calgary hyperloop. 

Toronto-based hyperloop company TransPod is currently in the early stages of developing a 1,000 km/h transportation line between Calgary and Edmonton.

Hyperloop systems work by propelling vehicles through a vacuum in sealed tubes at high speeds made possible by extremely low friction inside the tube.

Transpod's goal is to have train-like pods shuttling between Calgary and Edmonton in under 30 minutes by the year 2030.

The cost of a one-way ticket would range between $40 to $60. 

The potential of high-speed travel & hyperloop tech aside, this project would bring billions to the Alberta economy & create 1000s of jobs through its construction with 0 public $ & an enormous investment by the int'l community.

Big news for Alberta & a great Canadian company! https://t.co/GPnb9A1vaE

— Michael Solberg 🐶 (@MichaelSolberg) August 25, 2020

“By supporting TransPod’s feasibility study, Alberta Transportation will provide important information contributing to the research, development, testing, and construction of a full inter-city TransPod line between Edmonton and Calgary," said Ric McIver, Alberta Minister of Transportation, in an announcement which detailed the province's support for Transpod.

"We look forward to seeing this work put Alberta at the forefront of the movement of goods and people," he added. 

Although the province will not be supporting the initiative financially, Alberta Transportation says that it will take part in discussions with potential large institutional investors "where suitable."

"Alberta’s leadership mindset and partnership with TransPod firmly places it at the cutting edge of transportation innovation,” said Sebastien Gendron, co-founder and CEO, TransPod.

“Through this strategic agreement that secures the province’s economic future without having to commit any taxpayer dollars, the Government of Alberta is investing in improving growth and quality of life in the region.”

Hyperloop! What'd I say? Hyperloop!
After it looked dead in the water back in November, the Alberta government has signed a memorandum of understanding with @TransPod_Inc to develop a high-speed transit system in the province. Could take you between #yyc and #yeg in 30 minutes. pic.twitter.com/qE3sgQigJN

— Tom Ross (@Tommy_Slick) August 25, 2020

If the company attracts the private investment that it needs, Transpod would aim to begin construction of a test track in Alberta by 2022, with construction of the full line to commence by 2025.

Construction of the full line is currently estimated to cost around $6 to $10 billion dollars.