Airport Trail Tunnel

Project background

In April 2011, Barlow Trail was closed to allow the Calgary Airport Authority (YYC) to begin construction of a fourth runway at the Calgary International Airport. In response to this closure, a connection to the Airport from the east side of the city has been discussed as a possibility. During the 2010 municipal election, many Calgarians expressed support for a road between the Airport and Métis Trail beneath the new runway.

On November 8, 2010, a notice of motion was passed by City Council to study the feasibility of constructing the Airport Trail tunnel. The report resulting from this Notice of Motion was submitted to Council in February 2011. The outcome of Council's debate and vote on February 7, 2011 led to negotiations between YYC and The City to move forward on the project. For a copy of the Council reports and to see the minutes see The City's Electronic Legislative Management Solution.

On June 16 a finalized lease agreement between YYC and The City was signed allowing for construction on the Airport Trail tunnel to begin. A copy of this finalized lease can be obtained from the City Clerk's Office.

The agreement sets out the terms and conditions for The City to integrate the Tunnel project into the Airport Development Program in order to extend Airport Trail from Barlow Trail to 36 Street N.E. under the new airport runway and provide an east-west connector and future LRT right of way for commuters and travelers.

Project scope

This project has been broken into three stages. Construction has started on stage one which includes:

• ​construction of the tunnel under the new runway;
• widening Airport Trail between Deerfoot Trail and Barlow Trail to six lanes; and
• extending Airport Trail through the tunnel to 36 Street N.E. 

As funding sources are identified and secured the following two stages will be built. Stage two will include the construction of interchanges along Airport Trail at Barlow Trail and 19 Street N.E. and include extending Airport Trail to Metis Trail. Stage three will include the construction of upgraded intersections to provide access and egress from Airport Trail to the airport when warranted by traffic levels. Stage three is not anticipated to be required for another 20 to 30 years.

The estimated cost for stage one is $294.8 million which was approved by Council in February, 2011. Stage two is estimated to cost $64 million dollars, with YYC contributing $20 million towards the construction. The final stage is estimated to cost $66 million and will be shared 50/50 by The City and YYC.

Project timeline

Construction activities started in mid-July and excavation for the Airport Trail Tunnel continues to progress. It is expected that by mid-October work on the deep utilities and tunnel structure will begin.