The completion of long-awaited enhancements to Deerfoot Trail is set to transform daily commutes for Airdrie residents and Calgarians, promising significantly faster travel times and reduced congestion.
Upgrades to the Beddington Trail Northwest and 11 Street Northeast connections will ease traffic flow and enhance safety for thousands of drivers relying on this vital route. As a major artery for Calgary, Deerfoot Trail is crucial in efficiently moving people and goods.
With both Airdrie's and Calgary’s population steadily growing, these improvements aim to help drivers spend less time in traffic and more time on what matters most.
The newly finished project includes a critical connection from 11 Street Northeast to westbound Beddington Trail and northbound Deerfoot Trail. By redirecting a considerable amount of commuter, industrial, and airport traffic from McKnight Boulevard to this new connection, the project is expected to streamline traffic flow, particularly in areas where congestion has been a persistent issue.
Devin Dreeshen, Alberta's Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors, thanked contractors and the public for their patience during construction.
"It’s great to see provincial construction wrap up on this critical road for Calgary drivers. This project will benefit many families that commute daily and is another example of how we're making life better for Albertans," he said.
The Deerfoot Trail upgrades began in Spring 2023 and involved adding a fourth continuous lane in each direction between Airport Trail and Beddington Trail. This is part of a broader suite of improvements initiated in 2022, with previous upgrades on 64 Avenue Northeast already completed.
"The investment in our transportation infrastructure is vital for enhancing efficiency and safety for all road users," said Andre Chabot, Ward 10 councillor for the City of Calgary. "We look forward to continuing our collaborative partnership with the provincial government on future enhancements."
The improvements are set to relieve many drivers, who can expect significantly faster commutes once all upgrades are completed. Estimates suggest that when the entire project is finished by fall 2027, motorists could see:
- 15 per cent speedier morning rush hour commutes
- 22 per cent speedier evening rush hour commutes
- 900,000 hours saved annually on Deerfoot Trail
- An annual economic boost of approximately $23 million
Chris Dinsdale, president and CEO of The Calgary Airport Authority, highlighted the benefits for air travellers: "We are excited to have an improved Deerfoot Trail enhancing access to YYC Calgary International Airport for our guests and commercial partners by reducing traffic congestion and boosting connectivity."
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