Calgary’s Airport Trail expansion will move ahead thanks to funding from the governments of Canada, Alberta and Calgary, along with the Calgary Airport Authority. Once complete, the Trail between 36 Street NE and 60 Street NE will create a second, critically needed east-west transportation corridor in north Calgary, improving passenger and cargo access to the airport, and better routes across Calgary’s growing northeast industrial-commercial area.
The Government of Alberta’s nearly $28-million grant to the City of Calgary is part of ongoing investments in projects across the province to help strengthen Alberta’s economy and create good-paying jobs.
“An expanded Airport Trail will connect major railways, interprovincial and highways into the United States, and the airport,” said Brian Mason, Minister of Transportation.
Phase 1 of Airport Trail opened May 2014, and includes a six-lane, 620-metre tunnel and the widening of Airport Trail from four to six lanes between Barlow Trail and Deerfoot Trail.
The expansion of Airport Trail involves: construction of a new segment of Airport Trail between 36 Street NE and 60 Street NE, with an intersection at Métis Trail; the first stage of interchanges along Airport Trail at 19 Street NE and Barlow Trail; and a new southbound-to-westbound ramp at the interchange of Stoney Trail and Airport Trail.
The road will enhance transportation between the Calgary International Airport, the Alberta provincial highway system, northeast Calgary, and the CN intermodal yard and industrial park east of the Calgary International Airport in Rocky View County.
When complete, Airport Trail will provide direct access between Stoney Trail (the Calgary Ring Road) and Deerfoot Trail (Highway 2), two of the most important transportation corridors in the Calgary region.
Expansion of Airport Trail will be covered in part by a $27.7 million Government of Alberta grant and additional support of $50 million from the federal National Trade Corridor Fund.
Construction is expected to begin in 2018 and be complete in spring 2022.
