Construction starts on 17 Avenue S.E. Bus Rapid Transit

The City has started work on the 17 Avenue S.E. Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) that will provide reliable, efficient transit from the southeast of the city to downtown.

“The Government of Canada recognizes how important affordable and efficient transit infrastructure is to helping Canadians get to work on time and back home quickly at the end of a long day,” says Kent Hehr, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities. “We are pleased to be supporting the second phase of this project, which will provide Calgary residents with more transportation options, reduce air pollution, and help families spend more time together.”

There are two phases to the project that will involve building dedicated, bus-only lanes along 17 Avenue S.E. between Hubalta Road and 9 Avenue S.E. in Inglewood. Phase one of the project received $64 million from the Government of Alberta’s Green Transit Incentives Program (GreenTRIP). The City also allocated $30 million in provincial Municipal Sustainability Initiative funding toward this phase. Phase two received $21.25 million in provincial funding. It also received $42.5 million in federal funding from the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund, which is designed to address key infrastructure priorities with a focus on repairing and upgrading existing facilities and assets.

“Our government is pleased to support the 17 Avenue S.E. BRT project as an important step forward in the development of Calgary’s Bus Rapid Transit system,” says Joe Ceci, Alberta Minister of Finance. “This transit investment will make life better for Calgarians by helping them get where they need to go, safely and efficiently.”

Phase one of the 17 Avenue S.E. BRT includes building dedicated transit lanes from Hubalta Road to 28 Street S.E., as well as a complete corridor refresh along International Avenue including a new road surface, wider sidewalks, boulevards, landscaping and enhanced crosswalks.

“The 17 Avenue S.E. BRT will give Calgarians high quality transit options and revitalize International Avenue at the same time,” says Mayor Naheed Nenshi. “It is one of four major cross-town BRT projects that will dramatically improve public transit for citizens. We’ve been working with the community to make sure the design complements this vibrant part of our city, and creates great spaces for Calgarians to explore everything that International Avenue has to offer.”

The second phase of the project includes building three bridges dedicated to transit vehicles, across the Bow River, Western Headworks Canal and Deerfoot trail and a multi-use path parallel to the BRT lanes to connect cyclists and pedestrians to the Canal and Bow River pathway. Some Intersections will also be modified and a new BRT station will be constructed beside the Blackfoot Truck Stop.

Construction starts this year on both phases of the project, and is expected to be complete by the end of 2018.

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