Calgary,
27
June
2018
|
11:00
America/Denver

Construction set to begin on Bow Trail S.W. widening and intersection improvements

Construction is set to begin on the widening of Bow Trail S.W. and intersection improvements at Old Banff Coach Road and 85 Street S.W.

“These upgrades improve how people travel in the area and between communities now and into the future, whether you drive, take transit, cycle or walk,” said Ward 6 Councillor Jeff Davison. “I believe travel in this area will be safer because of these improvements which include crosswalks in all directions connecting to sidewalks at the Bow Trail and 85 Street S.W. intersection, and a signalized pedestrian crossing on Bow Trail, east of 85 Street.”

“The Government of Alberta is proud to provide funding for this project because it will improve safety, provide development opportunities and continue to demonstrate our commitment to purposefully invest in the Calgary region,” said Calgary-Bow MLA Debra Drever. “Working closely with The City of Calgary, we have established priorities that will ensure a transportation network that is prepared to service Albertans for generations to come.”

This project is one of 29 major transportation construction projects The City is working on in 2018 that will have a positive impact to Calgary’s infrastructure network.

The project includes:

  • Adding an eastbound and westbound lane between Old Banff Coach Road (OBCR) and 85th Street S.W., for now and future vehicle volumes
  • Extending pathways on the north and south side of Bow Trail to OBCR and Strathcona Blvd. for better walking and cycling connections between communities and existing pathways
  • Reducing speed limit to 60km/hr on Bow Trail, providing a safer space to travel in the area
  • Installation of a pedestrian signal crossing at 77 Street S.W. (approx. 800m, east of 85 Street), to improve community connections.

At the Bow Trail and 85 Street S.W. intersection, dual left-turn lanes in all four directions will be added, as well as two through lanes in all directions. At the intersection of Bow Trail, OBCR and Strathcona Blvd., a third left-turn lane will be added from southbound OBCR to eastbound Bow Trail and the two left turn lanes from westbound Bow Trail to southbound Strathcona Blvd. will be lengthened.

Construction will begin in early July and is expected to last until the fall of 2019.

The City has put measures into place to ensure citizens can still get where they need to go, including the coordination of projects and detours, staged work during off-peak commute times to minimize impacts over the rush hour, and where possible, geometric changes to the roadway and temporary alignment changes in order to keep traffic lanes open. For this project, it’s anticipated that there will be minimal impact to traffic as the new lanes are being constructed north of the existing Bow Trail.

The budget for this project is $20 million.

For more details, visit calgary.ca/bowtrail-swrr.

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