North Central Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) improvements

Project update - November/December 2023

Design work for short-term improvements has continued to progress over summer and fall 2023.

A request for proposals (RFP) for a construction contractor was released to market in September 2023 and will be closing in early November 2023. Following The City’s evaluation process, the contract is expected to be awarded in December 2023.

Construction of remaining short-term North Central BRT project will begin in spring 2024, following planning and sourcing required materials over the winter.

Project areas will be located along the Centre Street MAX corridor on Centre Street/Harvest Hills Boulevard N., between 28 Avenue N.W. to Country Hills Boulevard N.E. Paving work on Centre Street N., between 54 Avenue and Beddington Trail N.W., is expected to occur in spring/summer 2024, followed by construction on the Beddington Trail N.W. bus trap. Full details on future project areas and construction timelines will be posted on this page as plans are finalized in 2024..

Detailed design on medium-term projects is also expected to begin in 2024, upon completion of the short-term projects.

View the Current projects section below for details.

Schedule updates will be posted on this page as details are confirmed.

Public information sessions

The project team hosted three public information sessions in April 2023 to share details on the construction plans and timelines.

Resources from these sessions are available below:

Current projects

North Central BRT (Centre Street MAX corridor) short-term improvements

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 will begin 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. Click here to 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

During engagement held from October 2020 – March 2021, 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.

Related links



This information has no legal status and cannot be used as an official interpretation of the various bylaws, codes and regulations currently in effect. The City of Calgary accepts no responsibility to persons relying solely on this information. Web pages are updated periodically. ​

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