26 Avenue S.W. is an important east–west travel route that connects numerous southwest Calgary communities.

As the area grows and more people choose different ways to travel, updates to the corridor are needed to ensure all Calgarians have access to safe, reliable, and well-connected travel options — whether you walk, wheel, bike, drive, or take transit.

Key mobility and safety improvements include:

• New protected bike lanes and multi-use pathways - Currently, 26 Avenue S.W. has on-street, painted bike lanes from 37 Street S.W. to Richmond Road S.W., which then transition to shared lanes (where bikes share the lane with vehicles) from Richmond Road to 14 Street S.W. The new design will replace the painted lanes with protected bike lanes and add multi-use pathways, giving people who bike and wheel a safe space to travel.
• Upgraded intersections – Curb extensions will be added to intersections and wheelchair ramps will be upgraded with tactile strips. These changes will increase visibility at these intersections, making it easier and safer for everyone to cross the street. 
• Lower speed limits – The speed limit will be reduced to 40 km/h.
• Floating bus stops – Bus stops will be placed between the bike lanes and road so buses can pull over without crossing into the bike lane.
• Better street lighting – Upgraded lighting will improve visibility at night.
• Repaved roads – The corridor will be resurfaced for a smoother, safer drive.

This project includes safety focused upgrades that support the City’s Vision Zero commitment to eliminate serious injuries and fatalities on our roads.

• Protected bike lanes and multi-use pathways – The existing mix of painted bike lanes and shared lanes place people biking and wheeling close to or in moving traffic. Additionally, buses currently cross into the painted bike lanes to make their stops, causing potential disruption points.  By upgrading the current state to protected bike lanes and multi-use pathways, we increase the physical separation between different road users, creating a safer space to travel for all.
• Lower speed limit - Reducing the speed limit from 50 km/h to 40 km/h gives drivers more time to notice and react to people crossing the street or traveling along the corridor. A lower speed also reduces the gap between the speeds of different road users; drivers, wheelers, and pedestrians, helping decrease the likelihood and severity of collisions. These changes create a safer and more comfortable environment for everyone using the roadway.
• Upgraded intersections with curb extensions - Curb extensions shorten crossing distances and improve sightlines between people walking and approaching drivers and wheelers. Upgraded intersections add clearer markings and safety features that make it easier for everyone to navigate these intersections. Together, these improvements create safer, more visible, and more comfortable places for people to cross the street.

We know on-street parking is important to residents and businesses, and we’ve worked hard to keep as much as possible while making the street safer for everyone. To create space for the mobility improvements, on-street parking will be removed from the following areas:

• South side of 26 Avenue S.W. west of Crowchild Trail (37 Street S.W. to 25 Street S.W.)
• North side of 26 Avenue S.W. east of Crowchild Trail (22 Street S.W. to 14A Street S.W.)

A parking changes map with alternative parking options will be shared when the design is finalized.

No. The project will not remove vehicle travel lanes. 

As communities along 26 Avenue S.W. grow, more people will rely on 26 Avenue S.W. to get around. This project helps prepare for growth by creating safe, well-connected travel options for people walking, biking, taking public transit, and driving.

The design follows The City’s 5A guidelines, which focus on making travel safe and accessible year-round for people of all ages and abilities. It also supports the Westbrook Communities Local Area Plan, which calls for better walking and cycling options along 26 Avenue S.W.

As new developments are built along the corridor, developers will be responsible for providing enough parking for their tenants. This means planning and building parking spaces that meet all City rules and approval requirements.

Yes, there were two stages of engagement from 2021 to 2023. Visit the engage page for more information.

$3.2M from the Established Area Growth and Change Strategy (EAGCS) program, $7.5M from the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF), and an additional $4.5M from other city groups

Construction is scheduled to begin in Spring 2026 and is expected to take about two years to complete. Please note that timelines may shift due to factors such as weather, supply chain delays, or unexpected site conditions.

To minimize disruption to the community, construction will be done in short sections along the corridor. Crews will be working in front of your property for a short time, not the full length of the project.

Detailed construction schedules and phasing plans will be finalized in early 2026. They will be shared with the community as soon as they are available, so you’ll know what to expect before work begins near your property.