Project Update – July 20, 2020
For up-to-date information on traffic detours and speed reductions, please visit 511 Alberta.
We appreciate your patience during construction.
Photo Map and Gallery
Check out the new photo map to see our progress! We’ve also added a photo gallery for the Bow River Bridge project.
Bridge Pier Construction
Bridge pier construction on the north and south sides of the river continues. On the south side, pictured below, work on the cofferdam is ongoing. Crews are also installing foundations for two additional tower cranes.
Looking north at the cofferdam on the south shore of the river and bridge piers on the north side of the river
On the north side, work continues on the cast-in-place pier segments.
Looking south at the piers on the north side of the river
Final Touches on Collector-Distributor (CD) Road
Roadwork continues between Scenic Acres Link N.W. and Crowchild Trail. Over the last several weeks crews have been building the subgrade and gravel road base for the CD road. Paving is planned for this week, weather permitting, and then traffic will shift to the new CD road, marking a major milestone for this project.
Stormwater Management 101
When development removes or covers the natural ground with non-permeable materials (like concrete), rainwater runs off the hard surfaces picking up pollutants like pesticides, oil and fertilizer while it makes its way to our natural water supply untreated. Fast-moving runoff can also erode soil and riverbanks.
Stormwater management systems are an important part of protecting the environment, preventing water pollution and reducing flooding. On this project, the stormwater management system is made up of a major drainage system and a minor drainage system. The minor system is the underground network of stormsewers, catch basins and manholes. The major system collects overland runoff using ditches, culverts and curb and gutter.
The major system also includes wet ponds to store excess runoff. Wet ponds have forebays to trap sediment and pollutants as stormwater enters the pond.
Looking west at forebay construction for the pond east of Valley Brook Circle N.W. 
The forebay is constructed with a geotextile liner to improve ground stability and then covered with clay – both low permeability materials to reduce pollutants in groundwater
Controlled Blasting
Since controlled blasting began in November 2019 there have been more than 130 blasts completed. Blasting will continue into the fall.
Looking north at the blasting area on Paskapoo Slope
Reinforced Slopes
Reinforced Soil Slopes (RSS) are compacted embankments that use geosynthetic material to stabilize slopes. RSS are an economical alternative to conventional grade separations (structures) because they use less material, reduce construction time and minimize right-of-way requirements. There are several reinforced slopes on the North Project.
Looking west toward Valley Ridge Boulevard N.W. – June 23, 2020 
Looking west toward Valley Ridge Boulevard N.W. – July 13, 2020
Looking north at the start of ground improvements for the reinforced slope 
Looking northwest where geogrid and gravel are being placed along the future 2 Avenue S.W. access road
Gravel Removal South of Old Banff Coach Road S.W.
Gravel removal south of Old Banff Coach Road S.W. is nearing completion.
Utility Work on Old Banff Coach Road S.W.
The City of Calgary continues work on relocating a potable watermain to make way for the new interchange at Old Banff Coach Road SW. This work will be ongoing until the fall.
Looking east at watermain installation north of Old Banff Coach Road S.W. (the Paskapoo Slope is visible on the left of the photo) 
Looking northeast from the haul road at Old Banff Coach Road S.W. 
“Benching” refers to the steps cut into this slope during excavation to maintain slope stability