Project Update

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September 1, 2023

What’s Happening in Traffic

Workers still on site

Earlier this week the lines were painted on Stoney Trail between Old Banff Coach Road and Bow Trail. While considerable progress is being made, Stoney Trail is still under construction south of the Trans-Canada Highway and not open to traffic. Please drive cautiously and watch for signage.

Looking south at line painting on Stoney Trail

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.

Understanding ‘Storm Events’ and Pathway Repair Update

The severe thunderstorm that hit Calgary on July 6, 2023, exceeded the 100-year storm event criteria and did extensive damage to the pathway and retaining wall recently completed as part of the project. Several other severe storms happened in and around Calgary before and since, including tornadoes and hailstorms, resulting in significant work to restore the pathway connection in this area.

Since the pathway was closed due to the storm event, the area has been cleaned up and new fill material has been brought in. Additional engineering to determine the best approach to mitigate future damage to the slope and pathway is also underway.

Significant progress has been made towards the reopening of the pathway in recent weeks, and further information regarding timelines for reopening will be provided as it becomes available.

Did you Know?

Storm Frequency Analysis (SFA) is used to quantify storm and flood events by measuring precipitation to identify storm severity and how likely it is that storms of different severity levels may occur. The SFA uses data on precipitation (rainfall and snow melt) to determine the probability of different levels of storm severity occurring. This information is important, as it helps engineers design infrastructure to protect against severe storms.

Stating that a severe storm was a “1 in 100-year storm” does not mean that a storm of that severity is only expected once in a 100 year period, but instead means that every year, there is 1 in 100 chance (or a 1% probability) of a storm of that severity happening.

Wooden forms and rebar for the concrete slope protection have been placed under the new bridge

Highway 8 Interchange Progress

Significant progress has been made at Highway 8, as illustrated in the drone photos below.

Looking north at the interchange
The first lift of asphalt has been placed on the ‘braided ramps’ bridge between Highway 8 and 17 Avenue S.W.
Looking southeast at the interchange
The new westbound Highway 8 lanes near 101 Street S.W. have been paved
Straw erosion control mats have been placed along the eastbound Highway 8 lanes to protect against erosion while grass grows in and topsoil has been placed in the median
Work remaining on Lower Junction Pond, outlined above, includes the installation of the ponds lining and the completion of the drainage channel along the southern edge