The City of Calgary’s transportation networks will be a major focus for construction crews in the coming year.

“The population of the city of Calgary continues to grow, and the City of Calgary and the Government of Alberta must continue to invest in our infrastructure – especially as population demand continues,” said Bill Black, president of the Calgary Construction Association (CCA).

City officials highlighted some of the major projects they will be working on throughout the year.

Crews have returned this spring to finish construction of the two new interchanges at Airport Trail with 19th Street and with Barlow Trail N.E.

This project will complete the link between Deerfoot Trail and Stoney Trail, offering drivers more options to travel east Calgary.

Black explained this project is essential to connecting the city with highways, ring roads and large warehouses on the east side. He noted it highlights Calgary as an “inland-port.”

Workers will continue construction for the second season on the Eau Claire Area Improvements projects, which include the replacement of the Jaipur Bridge, building the Downtown Flood Barrier and Eau Claire Promenade, and the redesigned Eau Claire Plaza.

Black explained it was important also to see improvements to the city’s downtown core.

“We look forward to seeing infrastructure upgrades that support both future growth, community vibrancy and development,” he said.

Crews will also continue construction of the first short-term North Central BRT improvement – the North Pointe Park and Ride Lot Improvements project – which began in fall 2021 in the community of Country Hills. Safety and accessibility enhancements such as a new transit-only lane and lot entrance, pedestrian sidewalks and lighting will be added.

Bridges will be a major focus as well. Crews will conduct rehabilitation work on Centre Street Lower Deck, 16 Ave/University Drive N.W., Shouldice (Hextal) N.W. Pedestrian Bridge and McKnight Blvd/east of Centre Street N.E. Street Pedestrian Bridge.

CTrain stations will receive maintenance. This work will include new concrete in areas that need repairs, repainting, deep cleaning, lighting improvements and track maintenance.

In the city’s northwest, the 144 Avenue N.W. improvements project will see the construction of a 1.2 kilometre extension of 144 Avenue N.W. between Symons Valley Road and 24 Street N.W., a bridge crossing over West Nose Creek and an expansion to the pathway system linked to the 5A Network. A key part of this project, explained the city, will be facilitating east-west transit connections with the future Green Line LRT.

The first phase of construction began in late March 2022, with work scheduled to continue through until fall 2024.

Crews are looking to complete construction on both the West 17 Avenue and 37 Street Main Street projects this season as well as start construction on Phase 1 of the Bridgeland Main Street project. Phase 1 includes streetscape improvements and infrastructure upgrades along Edmonton Trail from Memorial Drive to 2 Avenue N.E., utility relocations as well as gateway features on Memorial Drive beneath the 4 Avenue flyover and at the triangle where 4 Street meets Edmonton Trail N.E. Design of Phase 2 is still being finalized however, construction is currently unfunded.

This spring, construction will continue on three interchanges Calgary is building on behalf of the Province of Alberta over Stoney Trail

At both Shaganappi Trail and the Harvest Hills Interchange, crews will upgrade the existing interchange by finishing a second three-lane bridge adjacent to the existing north-south bridge, which will provide three travel lanes in each direction when complete. Crews will also be connecting to multiuse pathways on the north and south side of Stoney Trail.

The city noted it is also currently working on the Green Line (LRT) project, the largest infrastructure investment in the city’s history. The project team has recently released the request for qualifications for Phase 1 from Shepard to Eau Claire.

Phase 1 will build the 18 kilometre core of the Green Line, constructing the most technically complex section of the new LRT line to support future expansion to the north and south.

“We’ve been fortunate to be able to continue construction on these important projects in 2020 and 2021 during the global pandemic – and in 2022, I’m excited for our opportunity to continue investing in Calgary’s future and creating more jobs for Calgarians through our projects this year,” said Kerensa Swanson Fromherz, director of transportation infrastructure, in a press release.