The Memorial Drive Extension Project is a major infrastructure initiative that will extend Memorial Drive eastward from Abbeydale Drive over Stoney Trail and connecting to 84 Street E. 

Calgary is growing, especially in the city’s east end. The Memorial Drive Extension will support new and expanding communities, improve travel across the city, and prepare for future development in the Belvedere, Huxley and Twinhills area.

This project also aligns with Calgary’s long-term transportation plan by adding additional road capacity and connections for the new communities.

Yes. The project was initially planned in two stages. The first phase would have involved constructing a two-lane overpass over Stoney Trail, followed by a second two-lane structure in a future phase.

With additional funding secured upfront, we are now planning to build a single four-lane overpass from the outset, combining what would have been two separate structures into one unified design.

This updated approach not only improves traffic flow and long-term capacity but also reduces the overall project footprint and avoids the disruption of a second construction phase.

No. The overpass will not include on- or off-ramps to Stoney Trail.

Urban boulevards are streets that are more livable, functional, and accessible for all users compared to a typical road. They are the preferred design for traffic corridors like Memorial Drive because they:

• Provide separate spaces for all modes of travel (including walking, wheeling, and vehicle traffic).
• Reduce traffic speeds.
• Improve driving, pedestrian, and wheeling safety.
• Better integrate with surrounding communities by letting homes and businesses face directly onto the street, with adjacent on-street parking.

Some green space will be impacted as part of the project. We know these areas are important to the community, and we’re working to reduce the impact as much as possible while still improving mobility infrastructure.

While some trees will need to be pruned or removed, The City of Calgary’s Urban Forestry team is working with the project team to reduce the number and impacts of these removals wherever possible. Pruning and removals will occur with a qualified arborist and under the supervision of Urban Forestry. We always work to preserve as many trees as possible and when removals are required as part of a project, Urban Forestry collects compensation for the loss of the trees. Urban Forestry will assess where additional canopy is needed citywide and use the locations identified to replant sufficient new trees to replace those removed. This helps maintain and grow a healthy urban tree canopy for all Calgarians.

Yes. Both projects are on similar timelines, and we’re working closely with the Belvedere Feeder Main team to coordinate construction activities as much as possible. This helps ensure efficient use of resources and reduces disruption to the community.

We’re also aligning public communication efforts to provide consistent, timely updates to residents and community associations about construction schedules, impacts, and progress.

In November 2024, Council approved $60 million to advance the Memorial Drive Extension project. In November 2025, Administration will recommend an additional $45 million of funding for Council's consideration as part of the 2026 Budget review. This additional funding will allow us to complete all four lanes of the project at once instead of a phased approach. Should Council approve Administration's recommendations, funding will be in place to support the updated estimated project cost of $105 million.

The project is being funded through off-site levies, the Municipal Sustainability Initiative fund and the Pay-as-you-go fund.

Yes – engagement for the Memorial Drive Extension Functional Planning Study was organized into three phases:

1. Discover (completed in August 2022) - Discover priorities, aspirations, issues, and opportunities raised by interested parties, the public, and The City.
2. Explore (completed in May 2023) - Explore perspectives, issues, and opportunities raised by interested parties, the public, and The City regarding the proposed design concepts. Obtain feedback to help evaluate options.
3. Reveal (completed in April-May 2024) - Reveal the recommended plans to gather feedback from interested parties, the public, and to refine the final recommendations.  

Visit the project’s engage webpage for more information on public engagement for this project, including What We Heard Report’s for each phase of engagement. 

Feedback gathered during the Discover, Explore, and Reveal engagement phases influenced several safety-focused aspects of the design:

• Lower speed limits for safer travel - Residents expressed concerns about speeding through the area. In response, the roadway will be reclassified as a neighbourhood boulevard, and the speed limit will be reduced to 50 km/h to encourage slower, safer driving.
• Traffic calming near residential areas - To improve safety and reduce vehicle speeds at residential access points, curb extensions are proposed at Abbeydale Drive. These features will help narrow the roadway, slow down turning vehicles, and improve pedestrian visibility.
• Narrower driving lanes - The final design includes narrower driving lanes that naturally calm traffic while still accommodating City buses. This approach balances safety with the need to maintain reliable public transit service.

The three public engagement stages for the Memorial Drive Extension Project are now complete. While we’re no longer collecting feedback, residents can stay informed by visiting this project webpage for updates.

As the project progresses, Calgarians will also be able to sign up for a newsletter to receive updates directly in their inbox.

An information session will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 12 from 4:30 to7:30 p.m. at Eastside City Church (1320 Abbeydale Drive SE, Calgary). This drop-in event is an opportunity for residents to learn more about the project, view the proposed design, and speak directly with members of the project team. Everyone is welcome to attend, and no registration is required.

It will make everyday travel easier and faster for people living in Calgary’s east communities. Benefits include:

• Improved Travel Across the City - The extended east-west route will reduce travel times and offer a more direct way to move across Calgary, especially in the southeast.
• Better Connections Between Communities – The project will link new communities like Huxley and Belvedere to established neighbourhoods such as Abbeydale and Applewood Park, while improving access to key destinations and services in east Calgary.
• More Travel Options - New multi-use pathways and transit stops will give Calgarians more choices for how they get around, whether by car, bike, foot, or public transit.

The Memorial Drive Extension Project supports several Council’s 2023-2026 guiding principles, which are focused on building a resilient and future-ready city:

• Invest in Infrastructure - This project is a strategic investment that improves mobility, supports growth in east Calgary, and enhances access to key destinations.
• Build Strong Communities - By connecting new and established neighbourhoods, the extension helps create inclusive, accessible communities with better transportation and services.
• Deliver the Right Services - The project contributes to delivering high-quality transportation options that Calgarians rely on, including safer roads and active travel infrastructure. 

The road extension is designed to improve traffic flow in the area by providing a new east-west connection and reducing pressure on existing roads.

To improve safety and help manage traffic speeds, we’re installing traffic lights at the Memorial Drive and Abbeydale Drive intersection. We’re also proposing traffic calming features at key entry points to the community.

During construction, there may be temporary disruptions, but The City will work to minimize impacts through careful planning and coordination with other nearby projects.

Once complete, the new road is expected to make it easier for people to move through the area and access new communities like Belvedere.

We have completed a noise study to understand how the road extension might affect sound levels in nearby neighbourhoods. We will be reaching out to residents who are impacted by noise levels that exceed the City’s minimum thresholds. If affected residents support the installation of noise barriers, they will be constructed as part of the project.