Bow Trail widening and intersection improvements

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The City is widening Bow Trail to two lanes in each direction, between 85 Street S.W. and Old Banff Coach Road (OBCR), with additional improvements at intersections and pathways. These upgrades improve how people travel in the area and between communities now and into the future; whether you drive, take transit, cycle or walk.

Project update

Important dates:

Friday, September 14 (starting at 6 p.m.) until Monday, September 17 (ending at 5 a.m.)

Bow Trail will be closed in both directions between Old Banff Coach Road and 85 Street S.W.
Local traffic will be directed via detour signage to access 85 Street S.W. via Old Banff Coach Road or 17 Avenue S.W.
This work is being done to facilitate the installation of storm water infrastructure.

Watch for:

The closure of the regional pathway adjacent to Bow Trail and 85 Street S.W. starting July 23, for approximately two months. A detour will be in place for people walking and cycling through the area. To see the detour please visit the pathway and bikeway map.
Construction of the new westbound traffic lanes, north of the existing Bow Trail traffic lanes. It is anticipated there will be minimal impacts to traffic due to this work.

Construction work will typically take place from Monday to Saturday, from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m., and will be conducted in accordance with the Community Standards Bylaw. Some Sunday work may be required.

Additional construction updates will be provided as they come available. Please note: All construction is weather-dependent, so construction times could change.

About the project

A better Bow Trail:

Add eastbound lane and westbound lane, between OBCR and 85th Street S.W., for now and future vehicle volumes
Extend pathways on north and south side of Bow Trail to OBCR and Strathcona Blvd. for better walking and cycling connections between communities and existing pathways.
Reduce speed limit to 60km/hr. on Bow Trail, providing a safer space to travel in the area.
Install pedestrian signal crossing at 77 Street S.W. (approx. 800m, east of 85th Street S.W.), to improve community connections.
At Bow Trail/85th Street S.W. intersection:

Add dual left-turn lanes all 4 directions
Add two through lanes in all directions

At Bow Trail/OBCR/Strathcona Blvd. intersection:

Add a third left-turn lane, from southbound OBCR to eastbound Bow Trail
Lengthen the two left turn lanes from westbound Bow Trail to southbound Strathcona Boulevard.

Design

Information session roll plans

On March 22, we hosted an information session, where we showcased the following designs. Based on the comments we heard, we've revisited the landscaping plans to see where we can further improve the various trees and other plantings.

Road and pathway designs

Click for larger image

Proposed landscaping plan (Under review)

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Information session display boards

If you weren't able to attend the Information Session, the

information display boards from the session are available to review.

Project timeline

Design:

Spring 2017 - Spring 2018

Construction:

Spring - Fall 2018: road work, which includes construction of additional traffic lanes, pedestrian signal crossing and intersection improvements, if weather and time permits
Spring - Fall 2019: pathways, landscaping and any remaining road work
Project completion: Fall 2019

Calgary's west ring road

Is this project part of Calgary's ring road? While the upgrades to Bow Trail are required now, the new Bow Trail design will allow a seamless transition between the future West Calgary Ring Road and Bow Trail.