Bow Trail widening and intersection improvements

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Project update: January 22, 2019

We’re into the last year of construction, which is scheduled to be completed in summer 2019.

Important dates:

Winter 2019 (January-March) Work begins on the noise barrier, west of 85 Street.

Spring and Summer 2019 (March-August) construction highlights

Complete curb and paving on eastbound lanes (single lane closures expected)
Pave final layer on westbound lanes (single lane closures expected)
Install pedestrian crossing, near 77 Street S.W.
Finish intersection work at Bow Trail/85 Street S.W. and Bow Trail/Old Banff Coach Road Finish landscaping on north and south sides of Bow Trail
Complete and pave pathway on north and south sides of Bow Trail

Watch for:

The speed limit through the construction zone is 60km/hr until road construction begins again in spring 2019. Once construction resumes the speed limit will be reduced to 50 km/hr until crews complete work in summer 2019.
With the closure of the regional pathway adjacent a detour is in place for people walking and cycling through the area, until spring 2019 To see the detour please visit the pathway and bikeway map.
As construction draws closure in the spring, more details will be available on schedule and work.

Construction work typically takes 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.

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
Winter 2019 (Jan. - Mar.): noise barrier, west of 85 Street
Spring - Summer 2019: pathways, landscaping and any remaining road work
Project completion: Summer 2019

About the project

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.

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.

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.