Project Update – April 19, 2021
What’s Happening in Traffic This Week
Westbound Trans-Canada Highway Ramp to Northbound Stoney Trail
Until April 30, the ramp from westbound Trans-Canada Highway to northbound Stoney Trail will be reduced to one lane. Ramp speeds will be posted at 60 km/h. This is required for open-trench underground culvert construction.
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. For all other project information, please visit westringroad.ca.
We appreciate your patience during construction.
Ground Improvements at the Valley Ridge Boulevard N.W. Interchange
Soils that are too wet, too dry, too fine or too coarse cannot support the load of a bridge structure. A bit like Goldilocks selecting her porridge, the soil has to be just right. Ground improvements are techniques that improve soil strength and stability so that it is suitable for supporting a structure.
Clay-based soil is prominent in Calgary; malleable when wet and brittle when dry, clay is not suitable for bearing the load from the Trans-Canada Highway. A combination of geo-materials and compacted aggregate (gravel) is being used to improve the ground at the Valley Ridge Boulevard N.W. interchange.
On the left the existing ground is wet and soft compared to ground improvements around the piles
Geotextile – a permeable material that reinforces the soil and slows draining water – is used as the base layer for the ground improvements 
Next, a layer of gravel is compacted on top of the geotextile fabric
This polypropylene (plastic) geogrid improves the rigidity of the soil and gravel – this is known as tensile strength (stays together instead of pulling apart)
Several layers of gravel are compacted on top of the geotextile and geogrid 
Looking north at the temporary shoring wall installed for bridge construction last year 
With the Trans-Canada Highway lanes detoured and the ground improvements in place, the shoring wall can be removed 
Looking north at the completed ground improvements
Trenchless Storm Pipe Installation
The two stormponds highlighted in the map below are being connected. However, since the Transportation Utility Corridor houses many major utilities, there is a gas line in this area that cannot be disturbed.
A trenchless crossing is being used to install the storm pipe without disturbing the gas line. This method of construction is similar to the work recently completed by ENMAX to bore a conduit underneath the Trans-Canada Highway.
A small trench is excavated at both ends of the storm pipe alignment, and then a trench shield is installed to protect the crew from cave-ins
Then the boring machine is installed to push the pipe horizontally; this is called directional drilling or horizontal directional drilling
Utility Work North of the Trans-Canada Highway
For the next few weeks utility work will be happening in the Transportation Utility Corridor just south of Valley Ridge (west of Valley Ridge Boulevard N.W.).
Reminder: Entering the Construction Zone is Trespassing
There are continued concerns about people entering the Transportation Utility Corridor (TUC). This area is an active construction site with numerous hazards. Do not enter the TUC under any circumstances.
Public and worker safety is the top priority. Thank you for helping to keep everyone safe.
Piling to Begin at Bow Trail S.W.
After many weeks of earthworks to prepare this greenfield site, pile driving for the bridge is anticipated to begin this week and continue until mid-May. Adjacent residents can expect increased construction noise and activity.
March 8, 2021 – gravel excavation at the interchange site 
April 10, 2021 – the same area as above graded for bridge construction
Springbank Ravine Culvert Installation
A drainage culvert is being installed in the Springbank Ravine to convey stormwater along its natural drainage course where the wetland was removed.
Culvert base construction at the northwest end 
Geotextile fabric underneath a layer of compacted aggregate forms the base for the culvert to sit upon 
Culvert base construction at the southeast end
17 Avenue S.W. Earthworks
Earthworks are also underway at 17 Avenue S.W. to prepare the proper grades for the interchange.
Looking north; the third lift of fill is placed for the eastbound 17 Avenue S.W. to southbound Stoney Trail ramp 
This machine is called a nuclear density gauge, which uses electromagnetic radiation (gamma waves) to determine the density of the compacted soil