Project Update - December 21, 2020 - West Calgary Ring Road

Thank You and Happy Holidays!

The holiday season is upon us and work on the West Calgary Ring Road is winding down for the year. We look forward to sharing updates and milestones in 2021 and wish you happy holidays!

What’s Happening in Traffic This Week

Eastbound Trans-Canada Highway traffic changes

This week, eastbound Trans-Canada Highway will be shifted north onto the new detour road and bridges at Valley Ridge Boulevard N.W. while the remaining two interchange bridges are constructed.

Eastbound Trans-Canada Highway Detour Plan

Drivers coming from Valley Ridge Boulevard N.W. / Crestmont Boulevard S.W. wanting to go east will use temporary ramps east of Valley Ridge Boulevard N.W. and east of Stoney Trail.

Paving temporary ramp — Paving the temporary ramp from Crestmont Boulevard S.W. to eastbound Trans-Canada Highway

Eastbound Trans-Canada Highway minor stoppages

On the evening of December 23, between 10 p.m. – 11 p.m., there will be short traffic stoppages to move a crane across the road:

On the ramp from southbound Stoney Trail to eastbound Trans-Canada Highway
Along eastbound Trans-Canada Highway east of Stoney Trail

All work is weather dependent. Please check 511 Albertaand The City of Calgary’s traffic information map for up-to-date information on traffic detours and speed reductions.

We appreciate your patience during construction.

Westbound Trans-Canada Highway Shifted to Detour

Last week westbound Trans-Canada Highway was shifted north onto the detour at Valley Ridge Boulevard N.W. This is a huge milestone for the project!

Westbound Trans-Canada Highway detour — Looking west at the new traffic configuration on Trans-Canada Highway

Slope Stabilization Along Future Crestmont Boulevard S.W.

Now that all 542 soil nails have been drilled into the slope and encased with grout, the entire slope face is being covered with wire mesh. This wire mesh is lightweight, cost effective and will provide a strong facing that can handle soil and rock movement and work together with the soil nails to keep the slope stable and safe.

Wire mesh placed — *Wire mesh is partially installed on the slope face*

Paint on nails — *Wire mesh is partially installed on the slope face*

Hydroseeding Cougar Ridge

The slope along Cougar Ridge has been coated with hydroseed, which will mitigate dust and erosion. The green mixture containing fertilizer, mulch and plant seeds has been sprayed across the entire slope face.

Hydroseeding on Paskapoo slope — Looking east at the hydroseeded slope along Cougar Ridge

Hydroseeding near Cougar Ridge — Looking east at the hydroseeded slope along Cougar Ridge

Steel Girders: From Transportation to Installation

Last week, more steel girders for the basketweave bridge at the east end of the project were delivered, assembled and lifted into place.

Girders arriving by truck — Each girder arrives in several pieces and is assembled on the ground before being lifted into place

Girders lifted into place by crane — Each girder arrives in several pieces and is assembled on the ground before being lifted into place

Girder bolts — *Using a torque wrench, each bolt is tightened by hand before being finished with a pneumatic wrench. The marks on each bolt keep track of how tightly it has been turned.*

Girder bolt markings — *Using a torque wrench, each bolt is tightened by hand before being finished with a pneumatic wrench. The marks on each bolt keep track of how tightly it has been turned.*

Bearing holes — While the girders are being assembled, the bearings are installed on the bridge abutments. The steel girders will rest on the bearings, which help transfer the load from the girders to the concrete abutments.

Bearing — While the girders are being assembled, the bearings are installed on the bridge abutments. The steel girders will rest on the bearings, which help transfer the load from the girders to the concrete abutments.

Lifting girders into placeThe first girders are lifted into place — The bolted connection of two girder segments

Bridge girder — The bolted connection of two girder segments

Are Those Pigeon Spikes?

These shear studs might act as bird-roosting deterrents for a short time, but soon they will become the connection between the steel girders and the concrete bridge deck. Shear force is when forces are acting in the opposite direction – in this case, there is shear force between the bridge deck and girders. Shear studs help distribute the shear forces from the concrete deck to the steel bridge components below.

Girder flange — *Shear studs are steel pins welded to the top of the girders*

Concrete can separate from the steel girders as it bends from the forces of traffic and weather acting on the bridge deck. Created in specific lengths, widths and distances apart, shear studs ensure that the concrete deck, and the girders supporting it, remain connected and able to support the shifting weight of the bridge.