The contract for the final portion of the West Calgary Ring Road has been awarded to Calgary Safelink Partners for $277 million. The consortium includes Carmacks Enterprises Ltd., Graham Infrastructure and Vinci Infrastructure Canada Ltd.

Construction will get underway this summer on the south portion of the road, which is expected to be completed in 2024.

“The ring road is a critical project that has been years in the making and Calgarians have been waiting decades for it to be completed,” said Ric McIver, Minister of Transportation. “When construction wraps up, the ring road will provide more than 100 kilometres of free-flow travel, making it faster and easier for Calgarians and job creators to get around Alberta’s largest city. Most importantly, this major infrastructure project will help get Albertans back to work by supporting thousands of much-needed jobs.”

Another milestone was recently marked by the completion of about 80 per cent of the Southwest Calgary Ring Road, which is on schedule to be completed in fall 2021. A portion of the road will open this fall.

“The Calgary Ring Road is a necessary project that will bring greater efficiency and free flow of traffic to our city, and I eagerly await the final phase to begin construction this summer,” said Mike Ellis, MLA for Calgary West.

Budget 2020 allocated approximately $1.4 billion to the project, which began in 2016.

The West Calgary Ring Road will be completed in three sections: North project (Trans-Canada Highway to Old Banff Coach Road); West Bow River Bridge project; and South project (Old Banff Coach Road to Highway 8).

The South project is targeted for completion in 2024 due to delays in relocating the ENMAX utility line, which required Alberta Utilities Commission approval, as well as considerations for the COVID-19 pandemic.

The new Bow River Pathway is now open, and work continues on the Trans-Canada Highway and Valley Ridge Boulevard NW interchange.