Project Update – June 15, 2020
For up-to-date information on traffic detours and speed reductions, please visit 511 Alberta.
We appreciate your patience during construction.
Collector-Distributor Ramp Lanes between Crowchild Trail and Scenic Acres Link N.W.
This week crews continued working on protecting exposed surfaces from erosion within the west ditch of the new Collector-Distributor (CD) ramp lanes. Cover is the single most effective erosion control practice and, in this case, includes placing topsoil in conjunction with seeding.
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Topsoil stripped from the site at the start of the project is replaced
Bow River Bridge Construction
No Controlled Blasting from June 17 — July 5
There will be no controlled blasting on the Paskapoo Slope or near Crestmont from June 17 to July 5. Blasting will resume on Monday, July 6. For more information on controlled blasting, visit westringroad.ca > Controlled Blasting.
Despite challenges with changing ground conditions, heavy rain, managing social distancing and COVID protocols, working in live traffic and managing traffic detours, EllisDon and its subcontractors put in 46,459 work hours in May. That’s the equivalent of 62.5 work hours every hour of every day for the entire month!
Refresher on Bridge Elements
With 20 bridges being constructed as part of the North project, many of our updates include information and images of bridges at various stages of construction. Here’s a diagram to help identify the different components of a bridge.
Intersection at Valley Ridge Drive and Valley Ridge Boulevard N.w.
Last year, EllisDon communicated a potential plan to replace the four-way stop at Valley Ridge Drive and Valley Ridge Boulevard NW with a roundabout, as part of the detouring for interchange construction. Since then, design has progressed and it has been determined that construction can be contained within the Transportation Utility Corridor (TUC), making it unnecessary to convert the intersection into a roundabout. Retaining the four-way stop will minimize further construction impacts on the area.
Trans-Canada Highway Reduced to One Lane Overnight for Girder Installations
On Thursday, June 18, from 10 pm to 6 am, traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction on the Trans-Canada Highway east and west of Stoney Trail to accommodate girder installations.
Trans-Canada Highway / Stoney Trail Interchange
Girders for the north span were installed last month and formwork for the bridge deck is ongoing 
Looking west at the bridge over the Trans-Canada Highway
Formwork for the bridge deck is nearly complete 
Crews install gusset plates
Bridge deck preparation is nearly complete and concrete is scheduled to be poured near the end of the month (weather permitting)
Trans-Canada Highway West of Valley Ridge Boulevard N.W.
Trans-Canada Highway / Valley Ridge Boulevard N.W. Interchange
Geogrid is a geosynthetic material that improves ground stability. Geogrids help reinforce the soil, which pulls apart under tension.
Crews bringing geogrid mesh to be used in retaining wall construction
A Reinforced Steepened Slope (RSS) wall is often used to provide grade separation on steep slopes. Steep slopes are classified as structures greater than 70 degrees.
A Reinforced Steepened Slope (RSS) wall is being constructed on the east side of the bridge
Topsoil is stripped in preparation for interchange construction (looking south at westbound Trans-Canada Highway) 
Erosion control mats or blankets are made from straw or hay and are used temporarily to reduce erosion