The Calgary Ring Road, one of the city’s largest infrastructure undertakings, has opened 10 months ahead of schedule.
Completed by Calgary Safelink Partners, the 101-kilometre free-flowing Calgary Ring Road includes 197 new bridges and 48 interchanges.
The joint venture includes Graham Construction, Carmacks Enterprises Ltd., and VINCI Construction Geo Infrastructure.
“Graham is honoured to be a part of this tremendous achievement that exemplifies success through collaboration and a unified vision. Our client and the citizens of Alberta will benefit for decades to come,” said Andy Trewick, president & CEO, Graham Construction.
Although construction of the entire ring road project began in 1999 under former premier Ralph Klein, discussions on a ring road around the City of Calgary began as early as the 1950s. In the late 1970s, under former premier Peter Lougheed, high-level planning and land acquisition started and a transportation utility corridor was established to make the Calgary Ring Road a reality.
“Calgary’s ring road is a project that has been decades in the making and its completion is a real cause for celebration. This has been an important project and our government got it done. With this final section completed, travelling just got a little easier for families and for workers. This will not only benefit Calgarians and residents in the metro region, it will provide a boost to our economy, as goods can be transported more easily across our province,” said Premier Danielle Smith.
The ring road is a critical component to growing economic corridors in Alberta and Western Canada, as it connects the Trans-Canada Highway to the east and west, and the Queen Elizabeth II Highway and Highway 2 to the north and south. It is also part of the CANAMEX corridor, which connects Alberta to the highway network in the United States and Mexico.
“The ring road investment generated thousands of local jobs and will now play an integral role in keeping Calgarians and the economy moving. This important transportation link will ease congestion on city routes and greatly improve connectivity and access for businesses transporting goods.”
Jyoti Gondek, mayor, City of Calgary
