Reversible Memorial Drive turn lane expected to improve commute into the core

Beginning Monday morning, commuters will have a second left hand turn lane from westbound Memorial Drive to the downtown core in a move expected to reduce delays by 30 per cent.

The reversible turn lane will permit a second lane of westbound traffic from accessing the southbound lanes of the Langevin Bridge between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. on regular weekdays.

Outside of these hours, the turn lane will be altered to become a second turn lane connecting eastbound Memorial Drive with northbound Edmonton Trail.

According to city officials, the lane reversal will allow an additional 400 vehicles an hour to enter downtown during the morning rush.

The turn lane reversal will be manually constructed and adjusted using traffic cones each day until permanent signage, including overhead lane markers, are put in place.

The reversible lane is part of the City of Calgary's Memorial Drive and Edmonton Trail improvement project that includes improved crosswalk markings, enhanced pedestrian signals and the connection of the Edmonton Trail bike lanes with the Bow River pathway.

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  Traffic cones along the turn lane of Memorial Drive in anticipation of the December 5 introduction of a turn lane reversal