Canadian hyperloop company TransPod has signed an agreement with the Alberta government that will see the province support the firm’s early efforts to advance development of an ultra-high-speed transportation line between Calgary and Edmonton.

Though the concept may still sound like science fiction, the company’s ultimate goal is to have Albertans shuttling between Calgary and Edmonton in train-like pods — at speeds up to 1,000 kilometres an hour — through magnetic tubes by 2030.

On Tuesday, Toronto-based TransPod took a step forward by announcing it’s inked a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the province that will support the company in further studying the feasibility of the technology in Alberta, share transportation data and identify suitable land for a test track.

Alberta Transportation will also take part in discussions with potential large institutional investors “where suitable,” according to the company.

The government hasn’t made any financial commitments or endorsements.

TransPod’s chief executive said in an interview he sees the MOU as key. The announcement comes less than year after the company urged the UCP government to climb aboard the idea.

“It’s actually the first, I would say, official support from the government of a province which belongs to a G7 country,” said CEO Sebastien Gendron, “which is kind of a huge step to confirm the path to commercialization.”

Transportation Minister Ric McIver said he’s hopeful that TransPod’s work will lead to the development of new technology that’s put into practice in Alberta, creating new opportunities for job creation.

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