Motorists at the south end of the city will experience detours beginning this summer as construction begins on a Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) at the intersection of 162 Avenue and Macleod Trail South.

"Residents and businesses in this part of south Calgary have been asking for a better way to enter and exit the existing east and west shopping and service areas," said Ward 14 Councillor, Peter Demong. "The interchange will also allow motorists to travel smoother and faster along Macleod Trail, whether they are going to communities in the far south of Calgary, or heading north towards the city centre."

The DDI design, which will be the first constructed in urban Canada, consists of:

  • Free flowing traffic on Macleod Trail
  • Two sets of traffic signals on the east and west end of the overpass
  • Eastbound and westbound motorists on 162 Avenue driving on the left hand side of the overpass eliminating the need for left hand turn traffic signals
  • Improved pedestrian and cyclist access

"The DDI has significant operational benefits, particularly related to the timing of traffic signals which allows for more effective traffic flow through the interchange," said Kara Wolfe, Senior Transportation Engineer and Project Manager for The City.

The design was selected following concerns from the public over the short distance between the interchange and the Shawnessy Boulevard/Midlake Boulevard overpass to the north. Citizens expressed apprehensions with the partial cloverleaf design they believed would create short merge lanes.

The project, estimated to cost $65 million, is slated to open in the fall of 2017. During construction, motorists will experience several detour phases and temporary traffic signals on Sun Valley Blvd.

For additional information about the DDI, visit Macleod Trail/162 Avenue S Interchange