Project Update – November 8, 2021
What’s Happening in Traffic This Week
Temporary Construction Crossing on Highway 8
A temporary construction crossing will be in operation the week of November 15, 2021, for approximately three days for trucks to haul material to the area south of Highway 8. To minimize traffic impacts the signalized crossing will be controlled by on-site personnel and will only be activated when a construction vehicle is present.
Various Lane Closures on 17 Avenue S.W. – Slopeview Drive to Cortina Drive S.W.
Until mid-December 2021, ENMAX will be working along 17 Avenue S.W. between Slopeview Drive and Cortina Drive S.W., and along a short section of 93 Street S.W. just north of 17 Avenue S.W. Various lane closures will be required as crews remove the overhead powerline on the north side of 17 Avenue S.W. and bury it on the south side.
All work is weather dependent. Please check 511 Alberta and 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.
South of the Trans-Canada Highway
Work continues to be concentrated on infrastructure south of the Trans-Canada Highway to open both lanes on Crestmont Boulevard S.W., connect Valley Ridge Boulevard N.W. and 109 Street S.W. and open the ramp from Valley Ridge Boulevard N.W. / 109 Street S.W. to eastbound Trans-Canada Highway.
Looking south at grading for the roundabout that will connect Valley Ridge Boulevard N.W. and 109 Street S.W.
Looking southwest at compacting the final lift of Granular Base Course before paving the ramp from Valley Ridge Boulevard N.W. / 109 Street S.W. to eastbound Trans-Canada Highway
Looking north at ongoing construction on the Mechanically Stabilized Earth wall for the west bridge abutment 
The Mechanically Stabilized Earth wall for the east bridge abutment is substantially complete
Further east, a Reinforced Soil Slope is being constructed. In constrained areas like this one, reinforced slopes are often used as an alternative to concrete retaining walls. Geosynthetic material is placed between layers of compacted fill which strengthens the soil and stabilizes the slope.
The first layers of geosynthetic material placed immediately north of the Calgary Climbing Centre 
Geotextile between two lifts (layers) of compacted pitrun – a mixture of sand and stone 
Looking east at geotextile on the slope between the businesses on West Valley Road S.W. and the ramp from eastbound Trans-Canada Highway to Stoney Trail
Milestone: First Bridge Deck Poured
We’ve hit a major milestone on the South project, with the first bridge deck poured at Old Banff Coach Road S.W.
The bridge deck spans more than 100 metres, which is too long to be completed in a single concrete pour. When concrete is poured in stages, the first pour begins to cure before the second pour, which creates a cold joint where the two concrete pours meet. For multi-stage deck pours a bulkhead is used to partition the deck and create a clean cold joint.
Looking east at two plywood bulkheads being installed under the yellow truss screed which will smooth and level the concrete for the deck 
A closer look at the bulkhead
Evaporation retarder is sprayed on the freshly poured concrete creating a thin film to slow or prevent moisture loss 
White curing blankets are rolled out over the fresh concrete to slow or prevent moisture loss
Highway 8
Earthworks and underground utility installations continue at the south end of the project.
Looking west at excavation for bridge construction and stormwater pipe installation; the temporary shoring wall is visible on the left of the photo