North Central Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) improvements
Project update - July 2024
Construction began in late April 2024 at 40 Avenue North and Beddington Boulevard and will continue southbound along Centre Street wrapping up in November 2024, with further work to continue in 2025. During construction, all traffic lanes will remain open during peak hours, with single lane closures in place during non-peak hours as station improvements progress. Completion of the North Central BRT Short-Term Improvements Project is targeted for summer of 2025.
Detailed design for the project was completed in the fall of 2023 and the project was tendered and awarded in early 2024.
Full details on future project areas and construction timelines will be posted on this page as plans are finalized in 2024.
View the Current projects section below for details.
Schedule updates will be posted on this page as details are confirmed.
Current projects
North Central BRT short-term improvements
- Beddington Blvd.: Station piles have been poured and the electrical feeds for the shelters have been installed. The contractor is now preparing the station areas to pour new concrete for the station platforms. Once this has been completed, they will move on to the shelter construction in late-July.
- 78 Ave. N.: New traffic signals have been installed, along with the new north-bound bus layby. The contractor has removed the existing shelters and demolished the platforms and have begun piling for the south-bound station. Once the south-bound station piles have been completed piling for the north-bound station will begin.
- 64 Ave. N.: New traffic signal installations have been completed; piles have been installed in both station directions. The contractor has begun concrete removals to prepare for new curb and gutter and station platform construction.
- 56 Ave. N.: New signals installations have begun, with a targeted completion in mid-July. Curb and sidewalk removals are expected to start July 8, beginning with temporary pedestrian detours put into place followed by existing station removals.
- 40 Ave. N.: New signal installations are complete. Deep utility work is nearly complete, with new curb, gutter and sidewalk construction ongoing north bound. Further curb and gutter removals on the west (south-bound) side of Centre ST are planned for the bulk of July, with piles and platform work anticipated to begin in late July.
- 28 Ave. N.: Work is scheduled to begin at this location mid-July beginning with temporary bus stop installations and curb and gutter removals.
- Country Hills Blvd.: Work is anticipated to begin on new Signals construction July 8. This will be followed by curb and gutter removals and installations in the median south of Country Hills Blvd.
- 96 Ave N.: New signals installations are targeted to begin here after they are completed at Country Hills Blvd. Curb and gutter removals and installations targeted to begin in late-August or early September.
- A milling and paving overlay program is planned to begin in early September. This will encompass the full width of Centre Street from 54 Ave. N. up to Beddington Tr. and will entail nightly double-lane milling followed by nightly double-lane paving. Expect two-lane closures and periodic intersection closures along Centre Street while this work is ongoing.
Project area
Project background
As part of the Green Line LRT project, The City conducted the North Central Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) functional planning study from 2020 to 2021, resulting in recommendations for short-, medium-, and long-term improvements. The proposed North Central BRT improvements will link the investments that The City is making with Green Line to provide improved connections to north central communities and support the future transition to LRT along the corridor, which runs from Downtown along Centre Street up to Harvest Hills Boulevard N.E., and continues through to 160 Avenue N.E.
These improvements will:
- provide shorter transit travel times
- increase reliability
- enhance comfort and convenience
- improve accessibility
- improve walking and wheeling amenities
With Green Line Committee approval of the study recommendations in May 2021, work on implementing the recommendations began to move forward in 2022.
Centre Street South Public Realm improvements
In coordination with the North Central BRT study and Tomorrow’s Chinatown, we are exploring public realm improvements for Centre Street South from the Riverfront Avenue to 4 Avenue South.
The first phase of this project included working with the community to identify areas of concern and opportunity for potential public realm improvements and pedestrian safety along Centre Street South. The analysis is focused on the North Central BRT Study to ensure that any infrastructure or stations that are proposed are integrated to promote the public realm and do not prevent any potential future improvements.
In spring 2021, two rounds of virtual public engagement were held to inform phase 1 of the project. Based on feedback received during engagement, the project team has developed preliminary design concepts and recommendations for consideration in future stages of the project. view the final report.
Phase 2 of the project will develop the concepts from phase 1 and complete a comprehensive streetscape master plan. Currently, there is no anticipated timeline for phase 2 of this project. This work will be completed as funding and resourcing for improvements become available.
Engagement and Public Information Sessions
The project team hosted four public information sessions in April 2023 and April 2024 to share details on the construction plans and timelines.
Resources from these sessions are available below:
Engagement sessions were also held from October 2020 – March 2021. During these sessions, we heard a desire for more reliable bus service, interest in reducing congestion for transit vehicles and cars, and the need to balance providing on-street parking and accommodating traffic during peak travel hours. This feedback along with technical analysis has been used to further develop the opportunities identified for the North Central BRT into short-, medium- and long-term improvements.
View the Phase 2: North Central Mobility & BRT Studies What We Heard Report
Completed projects
North Pointe Park and Ride Lot Improvements
As part of the first North Central BRT improvements project, The City completed enhancements to the North Pointe Park and Ride lot in Country Hills Village, including:
- Addition of a bus-only lane
- Installation of sidewalks along both sides of the bus-only lane
The existing entrance on the east side of the lot, along Country Village Link N.E., was converted for Transit use only. A new public entrance has been installed along the east side of the lot, slightly north of the Transit-only access.
These improvements will help to enhance safety and accessibility for transit users within the Park and Ride Lot today, while also preparing for future growth and infrastructure requirements within the North Central BRT network.
Project timeline
Short-term improvement projects
- Engineering design: Fall 2022 – Winter 2023
- Tender and award construction contract: Winter 2023
- Begin construction: Spring 2024
- Construction substantially complete: Summer 2025
Please note: Construction activities are dependent on several factors. Timelines could change due to inclement weather, underground conditions and/or other unexpected circumstances. Schedule updates will be provided regularly.
Stay connected
Sign up for email updates to receive news and notices related to North Central BRT improvement projects.
Questions?
Email the project team at northcentralBRT@calgary.ca.
Budget
$50 million (includes all short and medium-term projects)
Funding has been provided through the Green Line LRT project.