Driveway crossing program
The term ‘Driveway Crossing’ is used to describe the area where an existing private driveway accesses a public road. This access may include a sidewalk, boulevard and/or curb and gutter. Common terms to describe this include depressed crossing, curb cut, curb lowering, and driveway ramp.
Property Owners are responsible for all costs associated with the construction of the driveway crossing.
It is illegal to place any materials in lanes, streets, sidewalks, or city right-of-ways. This includes rubber mats to create a driveway ramp.
Driveway crossing application process
Driveway Application (DW)
Request a driveway curb lowering
Property Owners (Single Family or Duplex Residents) with an existing private driveway that typically has a hard surface and want to construct a driveway crossing can request a free estimate. Hard surfaces include concrete or asphalt pavement.
You can also call 311 and ask to submit a ‘PSD-Driveway Crossings - Curb Lowering Service Request’ on your behalf.
Cost estimate
Site inspection and cost estimate
After the property owner contacts The City and a Driveway Application (DW) is created, a site inspection is completed. Then a driveway estimate is prepared and given to the Property Owner.
Approximate costs for the construction of a Typical Residential Driveway Crossing in 2023:
- Residential Single Driveway (3.00m wide plus flares) - $4,000
- Residential Double Driveway (6.70m wide plus flares) - $6,000
Note: Driveway and Driveway Crossing dimensions indicated are minimums.
The approximate costs noted above are for a typical driveway crossing for a monolithic sidewalk (combined sidewalk, curb and gutter). For any non-typical driveway crossings (separate sidewalk, boulevard, curb and gutter), an estimate can be provided upon request.
Design and Safety Considerations
There are some design and safety considerations that may need to be reviewed for certain driveway locations or property configurations. For example, driveway crossings cannot be constructed at a corner or on certain roadway classifications.
Construction
The City builds
If the Property Owner wants The City to proceed with construction, there are two options:
- Prepayment by Cheque: A cheque and/or cashier’s check in the amount of the cost of construction must be submitted to The City; or
- Local Improvement Bylaw: This method of payment allows the Registered Owner to have the Driveway Crossing costs plus interest added as a separate levy to their annual Property Tax bill and applied over 15 years. However, with this option, all work would be completed during the following year’s construction season. This would also be at the following season’s construction rates, due to the time required to go through the Local Improvement Process as this requires approval by City of Calgary Council. More information is available for this option under Local improvements and special taxes.
Private contractor builds
Another option for the Property Owner to construct a Driveway Crossing to a private driveway is entering into an Indemnification Agreement with The City of Calgary.
Indemnification Agreement Requirements for Contractor Built Driveway Crossings
An Indemnification Agreement allows the Property Owner to hire a Contractor directly to complete the work as the work completed is on City of Calgary Right-of-Way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the contractor give notice for when construction will start?
How long does it take to construct a driveway crossing?
- Construction takes approximately 8 weeks from start to finish and is completed in stages such as utility locates, saw cutting, excavation and forming, pouring of concrete, asphalt rehab and sod replacement. Please note, once the sidewalk/curb and gutter has been excavated (removed), the Contractor has 3 weeks to complete construction.
- All construction work is Weather Permitting. Please note, this can cause a delay in the start of construction or if construction has started.