The completion of the ring road is one of Calgary’s most long-awaited construction projects and hundreds of people showed up at an information session on Thursday night to learn more about its progress.
Representatives from the province and the city were on hand at Bethany Chapel in the southwest to answer questions about the project.
The federal government approved the land swap deal in May authorizing the addition of over 2100 hectares to Tsuu T’ina Nation in exchange for 428 hectares, which was handed over to the province for the road.
The southwest segment will extend from east of 69 Street SW on Glenmore Trail/Highway 8 south to Macleod Trail/Highway 2A and will include 31 kilometres of divided highway, 14 interchanges and three river crossings.
Officials say the new road will reduce traffic congestion in and around the city and also ensure the safe transportation of goods and people across the southern part of the province.
Ward 6 Councillor Richard Pootmans says tenders will go out soon and we should know which companies will do the work by about this time next year and shovels should be in the ground shortly after that.
“People are very interested in when the ring road will be finished, what the future for the west ring road looks like, what will the impact will be on Glenmore Trail, what are the downstream impacts, how will this impact Crowchild Trail, Bow Trail, all the crossroads,” said Pootmans
Many Calgarians who attended the meeting are pleased with the plans and just want the road completed.
“It’s going to be a lot of dust, there’s going to be a lot of noise because we’re sort of on the cusp of where the construction is going to be so that will be interesting. It’s going to take a few years but we’ll have to bear with it,” said Les Enser.
“So far I think it's good, long overdue,” said Janet Tease."It will definitely make my transport a whole lot easier getting across town."
“Personally I’m very happy to see this access to Mount Royal University, to downtown, to 14th street, this plan compares much more favorability to other plans,” said Teresa Posyniak.
Another information session will be held on November 4th at Bishop O'Byrne High School.
When it is complete, the Calgary ring road will accommodate between 80,000 and 100,000 vehicles per day on some sections and will provide motorists with more than 100 kilometres of free-flow travel.
The road is expected to be open by 2021.
For more on the southwest ring road, click HERE.