The federal government in Ottawa and the government of Alberta have announced a collaboration on a plan for high-speed rail between Calgary and Edmonton, two of Canada's largest metropolitan areas.

The announcement commits the two levels of government to work together on developing the proposed passenger service along the corridor that connects Alberta's two major cities. Details of the arrangement, including funding amounts, delivery timelines and a preferred technology, were not specified in the announcement.

The Calgary-Edmonton corridor, roughly 300 km long and home to the majority of Alberta's population, has been the subject of repeated passenger rail proposals over recent decades. No intercity passenger service currently operates between the two cities.

The collaboration signals renewed federal-provincial interest in advancing a project that proponents have long argued would relieve congestion on Highway 2 and the Calgary-Edmonton air shuttle route, one of Canada's busiest domestic air corridors.

Further details on scope, cost estimates and next steps are expected as the two governments define the terms of their co-operation. The announcement establishes a framework for joint work on the high-speed plan but leaves the project's financing and construction schedule to be determined.