Major upgrades to Deerfoot Trail are expected to begin in 2023 and be completed in 2027. The Alberta government is targeting key bottlenecks on Deerfoot Trail between Glenmore Trail and Anderson Road/Bow Bottom Trail in the large expansion project.
“Our goal is to significantly increase capacity at several highway choke points to cut down on congestion. Faster commutes, less panic getting kids to school or practice, quicker trips for groceries, less stress – hopefully it makes life a little bit better for everyone in Calgary,” said Alberta Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors Devin Dreeshen.
The Deerfoot Trail expansion project will include:
- Improving the Bow Bottom Trail and Anderson Road, Southland Drive and Glenmore Trail interchanges.
- Seven new bridge structures at Anderson Road and Bow Bottom Trail, Bow River, Southland Drive and Glenmore Trail.
- Adding more lanes to Deerfoot Trail along the highway and through the Anderson Road/Bow Bottom Trails and Glenmore Trail Interchanges.
According to officials, improvements to this section of Deerfoot Trail will enhance safety and, when completed, are expected to reduce driver commutes by about 15 per cent during peak morning travel hours and by about 22 per cent during peak evening travel hours. In total, the upgrades mean travellers will save about 900,000 hours a year, which will provide an annual economic boost of about $23 million.
Alberta’s government is also working toward completing upgrades to Deerfoot Trail between 64 Avenue and McKnight Boulevard. A tender for that project was posted in August 2022.
Tenders for other work, including interchange ramp reconfigurations, widening and adding travel lanes, and improving crossroad connections are expected to be posted this winter.
