Project Update - West Calgary Ring Road

October 7, 2022

What’s Happening in Traffic This Week

New Ramps Open

This week the new, final ramps connecting Stoney Trail to Valley Ridge Boulevard N.W. and the Trans-Canada Highway opened. The majority of permanent infrastructure for the North project is now complete.

*The remaining two ramps under construction opened this week*

*Looking west at the ramp from eastbound Trans-Canada Highway to Stoney Trail*

*Looking west at the ramp from Stoney Trail to westbound Trans-Canada Highway*

UPCOMING: New Traffic Pattern on Highway 8

Later this fall, traffic will shift to the new eastbound lanes currently under construction. This will open much of the area needed to construct the interchange. Various lane closures will be required in the upcoming weeks to tie-in the new lanes at the east and west ends.

This detour will be in place for the remainder of construction and will reduce the need for future traffic disruptions.

All work is weather dependant. Please check 511 Alberta and 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.

Closing Segment Poured

The Bow River Bridge project will reach a noteworthy milestone this week when the last bridge segment is poured.

*Looking north at the mobile form in place for the closing bridge segment*

Closure segments join two cantilevered bridge segments mid-span. Steel beams are used during the closure pour to support and align the segments being connected.

*A steel beam is lowered onto the bridge at the closure* *segment*

*Steel beams stabilize the two segments being joined during the closure pour*

Restoration

Disturbed areas across much of the North project site are being restored with topsoil and specific seed mixes to establish appropriate vegetation. It can take up to a year for seeds to successfully germinate. Areas that do not successfully germinate will be re-seeded.

*Hydroseed is applied to the west Paskapoo Slope south of the Trans-Canada Highway*

*Seed mixture application east of Crestmont Boulevard S.W.*

Illuminating Overhead Signs

Alberta’s highway signs are often coated with high-intensity retroreflective sheeting which reflects vehicle headlights to illuminate the sign. This is the same technology that is used for high-visibility clothing. Retroreflective surfaces return light to where it came from, whereas reflective surfaces return light in different directions.

Retroreflective sheeting is made using glass beads or micro-prisms on a durable material like acrylic or vinyl. Glass beads are also scattered onto road paint for increased visibility. This application is why line painting appears to sparkle in the daylight.

*An overhead sign is installed using two cranes*

*These overhead signs are about six metres tall to provide clearance for large vehicles on the Trans-Canada Highway*

Stoney Trail

Streetlight installation in the Stoney Trail median continues between Old Banff Coach Road and Bow Trail S.W.

*Standing on the Old Banff Coach Road S.W. bridge looking south toward Bow Trail S.W.*

Highway 8

At the south end of the project, construction continues on the systems interchange at Highway 8. Systems interchanges provide free flow movements from one highway to another.