Project Update

in

March 21, 2023

What’s Happening in Traffic

Active Construction Crossing and Haul Traffic on Highway 8

The construction crossing on Highway 8 is now active, and haul trucks should be expected between the crossing (near 101 Street S.W.) and Lott Creek Boulevard. The trucks are hauling material being excavated for the future westbound Highway 8 lanes near 101 Street S.W. to a stockpile near Lott Creek Boulevard.

Temporary Access to Slopeview Drive from 17 Avenue S.W.

In mid-April, the access to Slopeview Drive from 17 Avenue S.W. will be shifted west to accommodate work on the permanent access off the roundabout.

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. For all other project information, please visit westringroad.ca. 

We appreciate your patience during construction.

Quality Control

Quality control is the process that verifies the built infrastructure complies with required specification and design standards. Across the North project site, quality control reviews are ongoing.

For example, highway pavement markings must meet numerous criteria, such as the type and colour of paint used and marking dimensions and spacing requirements.

Standard lane lines are 100mm wide and 3m long, separated with 6m gaps between markings

For Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) walls, the spacing between the concrete facing panels is very important to prevent cracks and damage as the infrastructure settles. Typically, small bearing pads are used to maintain spacing, which prevents the concrete panels from touching each other and provides consistent spacing across the wall.

Checking a Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) wall for proper drainage and panel spacing

Waiting for Ground Thaw

This time of year, ground temperatures are regularly checked to see if the earth has thawed so it can be properly compacted. Soil being used as part of transportation infrastructure cannot be frozen because the ice crystals prevent compaction to the required density.

Checking ground temperature
Photo illustrating settlement caused by poor compaction of frozen soil courtesy of Natural Resources Canada
Diagram courtesy of aboutcivil.org
Diagram courtesy of multiquip.co.uk illustrating the benefits of soil compaction for use in civil engineering

Highway 8 Flyover Girders

Girder installation for the 225-metre-long flyover structure at Highway 8 continues.

Steel girders are partially assembled on-site and then hoisted by crane for the flyover
Looking south at a crew member bolting two sections of girder together while a crane holds it in place
Looking up at the four girder lines on the flyover