Calgarians will get an update Friday on work to improve one of the city’s busiest freeways.
Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors, Devin Dreeshen, is set to speak on improvements to Deerfoot Trail at Beddington Trail and 11 Street. He’ll be joined by Ward 10 Coun. Andre Chabot, and Calgary Airport Authority CEO, Chris Dinsdale.
Deerfoot Trail is Alberta’s busiest road, with around 180,000 vehicles travelling on it per day. Despite being in Calgary city limits, the road is managed by the province.
The province announced in 2022 its plans to undertake $615 million worth of improvements to the road, including at the Ivor Strong Bridge, Anderson Road/Bow Bottom Trail, Southland Drive and Glenmore Trail, and Beddington Trail NW/11 Street NE.
Aecon Infrastructure Management and Aecon Transportation West Ltd. were awarded the contracts to complete the work.
Changes were aimed at making routes safer while also cutting down travel time for commuters.
In the spring, the province said Calgarians would save an etimated 900,000 hours of driving per year, claiming drivers would see a 15 per cent reduction in their morning rush hour commutes and a 22 per cent reduction during the evening rush hour.
The economic impact to Calgary, according to the province, is estimated to be $23 million per year.
Construction is expected to wrap up in 2027.