[You Need A Thneed]

Apples and oranges.

The NE as a P3 is just one big project. The NW is not one project (contract) but a series of projects. What started in 2005? The whole thing? Hardly.

Why 2005 anyway? In my view the NW actually started when they started building the Bow River bridge

The roadwork started in 2005, this same roadwork is largely what is still outstanding as of now. Most of the bridgework is done or close.

The NW leg that started in 2005 is the stretch from Country Hills Blvd in the West to Deerfoot Trail, plus interchanges on the existing portion from 16th Ave to Country Hills Blvd. That's when actual constuction started on site. I was originally supposed to be complete in 2007, then got pushed back to 2008, and now 2009. Other then a few interchanges which were added onto the project later (Sarcee and Beddington for example - both now substantially complete), everything started construction in 2005.

I would clarify your first paragraph and say theat the NW portion is one project, but numerous contracts. The NE portion is one contract.

Background Information Sheet from 2004. (http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/Content/docType490/production/st-bi.pdf)
Goverment Press Release regarding funding (http://www.gov.ab.ca/acn/200305/14346.html) - nearly 6 years ago.

[kap384]

Paving the northern-most lane of Stoney (including the on-ramp to Sarcee) east of Sarcee today. All the large signs are installed at the Stoney/Country Hills intersection as well.

[Mininari]

One of these things is not like the other.

So then, if I decide to drive home for christmas as opposed to flying (Winnipeg to Vancouver), then can I expect a the NW and NE roads to be complete and provide a full freeway (or nearly freeway) bypass of the city?
I.E. I would NOT have to cross Calgary on 16th avenue?

[mersar]

Yep, it should all be open by then.

[freeweed]

Fair bit of work has started up again on the NW sections. Plus all the connecting arterials (Beddington, etc). Summer is officially here because holy shit did Calgary turn into a construction zone today!:haha:

[You Need A Thneed]

Fair bit of work has started up again on the NW sections. Plus all the connecting arterials (Beddington, etc). Summer is officially here because holy shit did Calgary turn into a construction zone today!:haha:

They were pouring a bunch of curbs around the Beddington/Stoney interchange today. It was one lane of traffic going over the bridge.

[lubicon]

Fair bit of work has started up again on the NW sections. Plus all the connecting arterials (Beddington, etc). Summer is officially here because holy shit did Calgary turn into a construction zone today!:haha:

Not strictly Stoney Trail related, but the construction zones on Crowchild were a huge pain in the ass this weekend. Here's the Coles notes version:

1. Crowchild NB reduced to 50km from 53 St to Sarcee Trail for construction
2. Speed limit back up to 80 from Sarcee to jsut south of Nosehill
3. Down to 50 again as you pass the new Crowfoot station
4. back to 60 from just west of Crowfoot to west of Stoney
5. back to 80 after that.

Problem is the 50km speed zone (#1 in my points) was only in effect during the day - or was it? They took down the sign on the inside lanes of Crowchild but left the sign up on the outside lanes. Nobody had a clue as to if the spped limit was 50 or 80 so you had vehicles doing every speed in between making for a fun drive. Note to construction crews - if the speed limit is only in effect during the day then take ALL the signs down at night. If the zone is in effect 24/7 then don't remove SOME of the signs at the end of the day and leave others up.

CPS / Bylaw services / whomever in all their wisdom had photo radar set up all weekend IN THE 80km zone that lay between the 2 50km speed zones. What the hell is the point of that?


end of rant!!

[mersar]

And then another 50 zone and lane closure at 12 Mile Coulee over the weekend through tomorrow as well

[lubicon]

May 11, 2009
Construction set to begin on two ring road interchanges in southwest Edmonton

Edmonton... Construction will begin later this year on the southwest Anthony Henday Drive (ring road) interchanges at Callingwood Road and Lessard Road announced Rona Ambrose, Minister of Labour and Member of Parliament for Edmonton-Spruce Grove and Luke Ouellette, Alberta Minister of Transportation.

“These interchanges will help create jobs and provide an economic boost for families in Edmonton,” said Minister Ambrose. “This is another great example of two levels of government working together to provide lasting infrastructure for the people of Edmonton.”

The Government of Canada will contribute up to 50 per cent toward the cost of the Callingwood Road and Lessard Road interchanges. The remaining funding will be provided by the province.

“The new interchanges at Callingwood Road and Lessard Road will improve safety for motorists and relieve congestion on the southwest section of Anthony Henday Drive,” said Minister Ouellette. “By starting construction this year, the two interchanges will open alongside the Stony Plain Road interchange and the new 21-kilometre northwest leg of the Henday in fall 2011.”

The interchange designs for the Callingwood Road and Lessard Road interchanges have been completed and the two projects are expected to be tendered together in the coming weeks, with construction starting later this year.

The province has set the goal of completing the Edmonton Ring Road by 2015, which includes the removal of all traffic signals. Design work is also underway for an interchange at Cameron Heights Drive, the final traffic signal on Anthony Henday Drive to be removed.

Interchanges are considered the safest way to enter or exit a highway and eliminate t-bone and head-on collisions at highway speeds that frequently result in serious injuries or fatalities. Approximately 40,000 vehicles per day use Anthony Henday Drive in this area.

Central to Budget 2009 is Alberta’s Capital Plan, which supports $7.2 billion in 2009-10 and a record $23.2 billion over three years to build roads, health care facilities, schools and other public infrastructure. This year’s investment alone will support over 80,000 jobs across the economy directly benefitting Albertans and Alberta communities.

This capital investment complements the government’s four-point plan for economic recovery, which calls for keeping an eye on spending, using savings to protect programs and services for Albertans while keeping taxes low, continuing to invest in infrastructure, and promoting the province on the world stage.


------------------------------------------------


No, I didn't post this here by mistake. Hopefully we will see a similar announcement for Stoney Trail in the very near future to build interchanges at Nose Hill Drive and Harvest Hills Blvd. Some federal money would certainly be welcomed.

[craner]

May 11, 2009
Construction set to begin on two ring road interchanges in southwest Edmonton

------------------------------------------------


No, I didn't post this here by mistake. Hopefully we will see a similar announcement for Stoney Trail in the very near future to build interchanges at Nose Hill Drive and Harvest Hills Blvd. Some federal money would certainly be welcomed.

Exactly what I'm thinking . . . (hoping for anyway). :yes:

[freeweed]

It's about damned time for those in Edmonton. They're of similar stupidity to what got left out on Stoney.

[Oliver Klozov]

It's about damned time for those in Edmonton. They're of similar stupidity to what got left out on Stoney.


Actually they're much worse than Nose Hill and Harvest Hills doesn't go anywhere yet.

My last trip up to St Albert on Good Friday, it was a 2 light wait northbound on AHD at Callingwood in the middle of the day. There was no accident scene when
I finally made it through so I'm not sure what could have backed traffic up other than too many drivers who just use their accelerator pedal as a foot rest.

[lubicon]

Actually they're much worse than Nose Hill and Harvest Hills doesn't go anywhere yet.

My last trip up to St Albert on Good Friday, it was a 2 light wait northbound on AHD at Callingwood in the middle of the day. There was no accident scene when
I finally made it through so I'm not sure what could have backed traffic up other than too many drivers who just use their accelerator pedal as a foot rest.

I won't dispute that those interchanges are badly needed in Edmonton because they are. BUT the situation will be just as bad for Nose Hill Drive & Harvest Hills Blvd once Stoney opens this fall. As a matter of fact I will go on record now and say that the lights at Nose Hill Drive will not only be a major pain traffic wise, but will become a major SAFETY hazard. Once large volumes of vehicles begin to use Stoney (and large trucks in particular) you are going to see a lot of crashes in this area. Northbound trucks will be very slow going up the hill, especially if they have to stop for a red light. There will be plenty of idiots cutting out from behind them into the left lane to pass them and will cause soem collisions. Worse yet will be SB Stoney where you have heavy vehicles coming down a steep hill and having to stop at the light. Winter will be even worse. There will be some rear end collisions at this one as vehicles won't always be able to stop in time. We have already had one fatality at this location for exactly the same reason and traffic volumes on Stoney aer still very low compared to what they will be.

Both SW AHD and NW Stoney are victims of the same circumstance. In both cases the respective Cities began to build these roads before the province took them over, and they were poorly planned to start with due to lack of money.

[mersar]

Looks like we may be getting closer to Sarcee to Beddington opening, they've removed all the concrete barriers on the interchange at Sarcee except for the ones blocking EB traffic on Stoney, and the ones that mostly block off the lanes underneath the bridge. They've also prepped Sarcee to get its top layer of asphalt

[Oliver Klozov]

BUT the situation will be just as bad for Nose Hill Drive & Harvest Hills Blvd once Stoney opens this fall. As a matter of fact I will go on record now and say that the lights at Nose Hill Drive will not only be a major pain traffic wise, but will become a major SAFETY hazard. ........

I agree Nose Hill will be as bad and probably a lot worse for all the reasons you stated. Once Stoney NW opens to QE2, that truck traffic will cause major problems. At Callingwood and Lessard, AHD is level in both directions. Trucks and other slow-to-accelerate drivers cause the traffic backups. The hill on Stoney north of Nose Hill just compounds that problem.

Harvest Hills will be more like Callingwood and Lessard if development north of Stoney starts to fill up before the interchange is built. Hopefully the interchange construction will be proceeding forthwith.

What about 14 Street? Although there is no interim at-grade intersection, that future interchange will result in yet another construction zone speed restriction on Stoney.

[You Need A Thneed]

What about 14 Street? Although there is no interim at-grade intersection, that future interchange will result in yet another construction zone speed restriction on Stoney.

Just a speed reduction with no traffic lights isn't too much of a problem. Traffic will still flow.

[mersar]

Yep. Plus how they've planned that interchange there shouldn't need to be much work that really affects Stoney itself since the earthwork is already mostly completed, so no detours, etc needed. Nosehill for comparison will likely require building detour lanes, and juggling traffic around at least a few times depending on the design (I'm thinking the interchange will have Nosehill going over Stoney with Stoney left at its current grade, so likely they'll need to build a new intersection north or south of the current one for the detour)

[Oliver Klozov]

Nosehill for comparison will likely require building detour lanes, and juggling traffic around at least a few times depending on the design (I'm thinking the interchange will have Nosehill going over Stoney with Stoney left at its current grade, so likely they'll need to build a new intersection north or south of the current one for the detour)


You can't tell if Nose Hill goes over or under Stoney on this drawing:

http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/Content/docType490/production/stm_tc-ch-m1.pdf

However it does show that the bridges and approaches are north of the current alignment. Certainly this is a preliminary design but I suspect that the final design will be very similar. If that's the case, the current intersection and alignment is the detour.

[freeweed]

I can see my house from there!

Incidentally, I *just* figured out Oliver's name.

[mersar]

True, it does look like they may have thought ahead and actually built the current alignment so its the detour (similar to what they did do for Crowchild).

[freeweed]

True, it does look like they may have thought ahead and actually built the current alignment so its the detour (similar to what they did do for Crowchild).

? Crowchild used to have a very different alignment (I assume you're talking about @ Stoney).

[You Need A Thneed]

You can't tell if Nose Hill goes over or under Stoney on this drawing.

Actually, ithink you can if you zoom the drawing to 200 or 400%. It appears as if Nose Hill will go over Stoney.

[Beltliner]

I can see my house from there!

Incidentally, I *just* figured out Oliver's name.

You nit us shot! :P

[mersar]

? Crowchild used to have a very different alignment (I assume you're talking about @ Stoney).

Yeah, I was referring to how Stoney itself was laid out in terms of how it curves eastward just before it intersects Crowchild then curves back west on the north side.

[BFHeadstone]

Has anyone got a link to the final alignment proposed for the SW ring road as it passes Glenmore and approaches the Weaselhead?

[mersar]

The alignment isn't yet finalized (and likely won't be until some time after the agreement is finally signed), the current plan though can be found on the AB Transportation site here (http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/swringgp.htm)

[freeweed]

Expect another update on the SW portion in 2011.

[BFHeadstone]

The alignment isn't yet finalized (and likely won't be until some time after the agreement is finally signed), the current plan though can be found on the AB Transportation site here (http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/swringgp.htm)

Thanks

I was interested on how the road was going to go around the casino. It seems that it will run behind and that there is going to be an interchange put in at 37th that will connect back the other way around the casino as well. Interesting.

[craner]

You can't tell if Nose Hill goes over or under Stoney on this drawing:

http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/Content/docType490/production/stm_tc-ch-m1.pdf

However it does show that the bridges and approaches are north of the current alignment. Certainly this is a preliminary design but I suspect that the final design will be very similar. If that's the case, the current intersection and alignment is the detour.

That Stoney-Crowchild interchange looks so awkward - at least it wont have traffic lights.

[You Need A Thneed]

That Stoney-Crowchild interchange looks so awkward - at least it wont have traffic lights.

It's a design that we haven't seen much of before, but it won't really be awkward for drivers, pretty simple actually. The modified full cloverleaf works because several of the left turns won't have very much traffic on them, plus the extended space in between the entrance and the exit in the lanes over Stoney Trail.

[srperrycgy]

Calgary... Three groups will bid to develop the southeast leg of Calgary’s ring road as a public-private partnership (P3).

Five teams responded to the Request for Qualifications issued in March and were evaluated based on experience, personnel, past performance, and financial stability. The teams are consortia composed of financing, construction, design, and maintenance companies.

“I was very pleased by the strong response from industry for this project,” said Luke Ouellette, Minister of Transportation. “The strong response shows that industry has confidence in Alberta and the province’s economic future.”

The three groups asked to submit proposals include:

Chinook Partnership
SEConnect
Southeast Calgary Connector Group

The Request for Proposals will close in January 2010. Bids from the three consortia will then be evaluated against a traditional delivery estimate to ensure they represent good value for taxpayers. The successful bidder will be chosen by March 2010, should the winning proposal fall within the range of the traditional delivery estimate. If the project proceeds as a P3, construction will start in Spring 2010 and be completed by Fall 2013.

The project will extend Stoney Trail from 17 Avenue SE to the east side of Macleod Trail and involves 25 kilometres of six-lane roadway, nine interchanges, two flyover railway crossings and 29 total bridge structures. The roadway’s main line will be completely free-flow and have no traffic lights. The contract also includes maintenance of Deerfoot Trail from south of Highway 22X to the junction with Highway 2A. Visit www.transportation.alberta.ca/804.htm for more information on the Calgary ring road.

May 19, 2009
Stoney Trail SE Bidders

Chinook Partnership
Project Leads: SNC-Lavalin Inc. and Acciona S.A.
Financing: SNC-Lavalin Capital Inc.
Construction Leads: SNC-Lavalin Constructors (Pacific) Inc. and Acciona Infraestructuras S.A.
Design Lead: Stantec Consulting Ltd.
Operation and Maintenance: SNC-Lavalin ProFac Inc. and Acciona S.A.

SEConnect
Project Leads: HOCHTIEF PPP Solutions North America Inc. and Macquarie Capital Group Ltd.
Financing: HOCHTIEF PPP Solutions North America Inc. and Macquarie Capital Group Ltd.
Construction Leads: Flatiron Constructors Canada Limited, Graham Building Services, and Ledcor CMI Ltd. (Joint Venture)
Design Lead: AECOM
Operation and Maintenance: Carmacks Maintenance Services Ltd.

Southeast Calgary Connector Group
Project Lead: Bilfinger Berger Project Investments Inc.
Financing: Bilfinger Berger Project Investments Inc.
Construction Lead: Kiewit Management Co.
Design Lead: Parsons Overseas Company of Canada Ltd.
Operation and Maintenance: Volker Stevin Contracting Ltd.

----

http://alberta.ca/home/NewsFrame.cfm?ReleaseID=/acn/200905/2599559A314AF-FEC3-B890-6230B32EC70C1F0E.html

[You Need A Thneed]

Stoney Trail SE Bidders

Chinook Partnership
Project Leads: SNC-Lavalin Inc. and Acciona S.A.
Financing: SNC-Lavalin Capital Inc.
Construction Leads: SNC-Lavalin Constructors (Pacific) Inc. and Acciona Infraestructuras S.A.
Design Lead: Stantec Consulting Ltd.
Operation and Maintenance: SNC-Lavalin ProFac Inc. and Acciona S.A.

SEConnect
Project Leads: HOCHTIEF PPP Solutions North America Inc. and Macquarie Capital Group Ltd.
Financing: HOCHTIEF PPP Solutions North America Inc. and Macquarie Capital Group Ltd.
Construction Leads: Flatiron Constructors Canada Limited, Graham Building Services, and Ledcor CMI Ltd. (Joint Venture)
Design Lead: AECOM
Operation and Maintenance: Carmacks Maintenance Services Ltd.

Southeast Calgary Connector Group
Project Lead: Bilfinger Berger Project Investments Inc.
Financing: Bilfinger Berger Project Investments Inc.
Construction Lead: Kiewit Management Co.
Design Lead: Parsons Overseas Company of Canada Ltd.
Operation and Maintenance: Volker Stevin Contracting Ltd.



Bolded companies are involved in the NE P3, For everyone's information.

[lubicon]

Bolded companies are involved in the NE P3, For everyone's information.

And all of them are involved in the NW AHD project currently under construction in Edmonton as well.

[You Need A Thneed]

S.W. ring road tab may hit $1.5B

Tsuu T'ina offered nearly $500M benefit in secret deal

BY DON BRAID, CALGARY HERALD

As Prime Minister Stephen Harper announces money today for one Calgary ring road project, the real monster is shaping up on the west side of the city. Several sources say the total cost to the province of the southwest ring road through the Tsuu T'ina reserve could easily hit $1.5 billion in cash, land and construction costs. The Tsuu T'ina band itself will receive cash payments, as well as land transfers and infrastructure upgrades, worth close to $500 million. The exact cash figure in the secret provincial-band agreement wasn't available.

But sources agree the large majority of roughly $500 million will be paid as land and upgrades. On top of the band's take, the province will likely spend $800 million to $1 billion on actual construction of about 21 kilometres of highway. Construction estimates from provincial sources are still inexact, though, based on the cost of other ring road projects in Calgary and Edmonton.

Meanwhile, the band is moving closer to one of the greatest decisions in its long history. Nine open houses will be held on the reserve between June 3 and June 18, including three with elders and six more general sessions. The momentous vote on the deal with the province comes June 30.Until then, details of that agreement will be held in tight secrecy. Only one copy will be available at the band office for members to read. They won't be allowed to copy it or take it away. Only band members will be admitted to the open houses. They'll see presentations and hear details, but no paper will leave the room. Between 800 and 900 eligible band members are expected to vote on the package. As part of the agreement, the province pledged not to make the document public until it's ratified by the reserve.

Variations on this project have been kicking around since 1947, of course, and deals have been announced before. My favourite is a Herald headline from June 17, 1960: "$5 Million Ring Road System Set For City." Costs have obviously risen since then. But it's hard to chart recent escalation because the province has always been vague about estimates. It's safe to say, though, that nobody anticipated a bill of $1.5 billion when these negotiations were launched on March 11, 2005. Perhaps fortunately, the government won't have to face most of those costs for some time, even for years. There's no chance a shovel will hit the ground in this fiscal year.

After the Tsuu T'ina ratify the deal, if they do, it must still go to Ottawa for approval. That can easily take a year or more. The project is scheduled for completion by 2015, but even that could be variable. The deeper worry is that the project could be shelved because of the limp economy and shrinking government revenues. Provincial officials say, however, that money should be available when-ever the project begins because it's part of the 20-year capital plan. Despite all the false starts and frustrations over more than 60 years, this moment seems very different.

Once the band approves the road, thus sealing a formal agreement with the province, construction might meander, but it will be inevitable.

© Copyright (c) The Calgary Herald

link (http://www.calgaryherald.com/ring+road/1619327/story.html)

[You Need A Thneed]

Huge financial boost for Calgary's southeast ring road
CHQR Newsroom
5/22/2009

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has announced $100 million in funding for the southeast leg of Calgary's ring road.
Harper made the announcement at a northeast transit bus station on Friday with Premier Ed Stelmach by his side, as well as Environment Minister Jim Prentice.
Harper says the money will come from the federal government's economic stimulus package.
The 25 kilometre stretch of road will include 9 interchanges, 25 bridge structures and no traffic lights.
Harper says the money will mean the ring road can be extended from 17th Avenue southeast to the east side of the future Macleod Trail interchange south of Highway 22X.

Link (http://www.am770chqr.com/News/Local/Story.aspx?ID=1095789)

[amor de cosmos]

it looks like the paragraphs got cut off at the ends for some reason:
PM announces major extension of Calgary Ring Road
22 May 2009

Families, workers and businesses in Calgary will benefit from reduced traffic congestion and improved road safety thanks to an Economic Action Plan investment in Calgary Ring Road, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced today.

“Extending Calgary Ring Road creates jobs, while reducing strain on our city’s road and transit system for years to come,” said the Prime Minister, who was joined by Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach at the announcement. “This is the kind of smart investment the people of Calgary deserve to see.”

Federal and provincial investments will extend the Southeast Ring Road from 17th Avenue SE to the east side of the existing MacLeod Trail interchange. This major road project includes constructing 25 kilometres of roadway, nine interchanges, two flyover railway crossings and 29 bridge structures. The entire southeast section will be free-flow, making travel safe and efficient.

Calgary Ring Road is currently open from Highway 1 to Sarcee Trail in northwest Calgary. The northeast portion of Ring Road is already scheduled to open for traffic in 2009.

Calgary Ring Road is one of many job-creating investments contained in the Harper Government’s Economic Action

Backgrounder

Investment in Calgary Ring Road

Calgary Ring Road is a major commuter and transport thoroughfare designed to reduce congestion and improve road safety in the Calgary metropolitan area.

The Northwest and Southeast Ring Roads are key components of the Calgary region transportation network. As part of the core National Highway System, Calgary Ring Road is eligible for funding under the Harper Government’s Building Canada Fund.

The governments of Canada and Alberta are delivering funding for the Calgary Southeast Ring Road (Stoney Trail) project. This project includes extending the Southeast Ring Road from 17th Avenue SE to the east side of the existing MacLeod Trail interchange.

The project involves 25 kilometres of six-lane roadway, nine interchanges, two flyover railway crossings and 29 bridge structures, creating free flow with no traffic lights.

The Government of Canada is setting aside up to $100 million for the Calgary Southeast Ring Road project.

This project improves safety and capacity, provides job opportunities and promotes long-term economic growth.

Federal funding is conditional on the project meeting the requirements of the Building Canada Fund and the signing of a contribution
http://www.actionplan.gc.ca/eng/media.asp?id=1483

[freeweed]

Anyone been by the NW section lately? I noticed a coupla weeks ago (and I think mersar mentioned this) that many of the temporary barriers by Sarcee were down, and there was some resurfacing prep going on in that area. Huge bumps actually, so I've avoided it as low-riding car + 6" vertical bump = 5kph.

Any indication things are opening up anytime soon?

[MalcolmTucker]

^ So the province brought in the Federal government as partner. I wonder if the feds will pay over 30 years like the province, or as lump sum.

[mersar]

Anyone been by the NW section lately? I noticed a coupla weeks ago (and I think mersar mentioned this) that many of the temporary barriers by Sarcee were down, and there was some resurfacing prep going on in that area. Huge bumps actually, so I've avoided it as low-riding car + 6" vertical bump = 5kph.

Any indication things are opening up anytime soon?

I'm planning on taking a trip up that way tonight so I'll report on whats going on. Last I was up there they appeared to have most of the signs up, the only thing missing really was the lines on the road which they were likely waiting for the paving to be complete on the ramps before they brought that crew back in

[Wentworth]

So, when they complete the entire ring road, any opinions on what is the impact going to be on the City? I'm guessing the biggest impact will be on retail, with further emptying out of retail from within the city to power centers on the edge of the City. Plus a big boost to Cross Iron Mills. Mostly at the expense of the Macleod Trail corridor, I am guessing?

[kap384]

Anyone been by the NW section lately? I noticed a coupla weeks ago (and I think mersar mentioned this) that many of the temporary barriers by Sarcee were down, and there was some resurfacing prep going on in that area. Huge bumps actually, so I've avoided it as low-riding car + 6" vertical bump = 5kph.

Any indication things are opening up anytime soon?

Don't head that way yet, even though they smoothed the on-ramp from SB Sarcee to Stoney a bit, you'll still have to slow to 5 kph.

Appear to have finished all remaining concrete gutter work on Sarcee. Street cleaner has been through very recently too, so hopefully the paving machines show up right away.

[mersar]

Actually I avoided that bump. Went and did a little tour, including getting stuck on the now dead end that is 52nd Ave NE (144th Ave is closed between what used to be Barlow and 52nd for some reason). Went past Deerfoot, Beddington, Shag and Sarcee. Photos will be up in a bit.

[mersar]

Stoney @ 52nd St
http://compscience.info/public/images/2009/stoneymetis-may22-1.jpg
Looking west to Metis

http://compscience.info/public/images/2009/stoneymetis-may22-2.jpg
Looking east to the curve before Country Hills

Stoney @ Deerfoot
http://compscience.info/public/images/2009/stoneydeerfoot-may22-1.jpg
Looking east

Stoney @ Beddington
http://compscience.info/public/images/2009/stoneybeddington-may22-1.jpg
Looking south on Beddington

http://compscience.info/public/images/2009/stoneybeddington-may22-2.jpg
Looking west on Stoney

http://compscience.info/public/images/2009/stoneybeddington-may22-3.jpg
Beddington south of Stoney

Stoney @ Shaganappi
http://compscience.info/public/images/2009/stoneyshaganappi-may22-1.jpg
Looking north on Shaganappi

http://compscience.info/public/images/2009/stoneyshaganappi-may22-2.jpg
Looking south on Shaganappi to offramp to WB Stoney

Stoney @ Sarcee
http://compscience.info/public/images/2009/stoneysarcee-may22-1.jpg
Approaching Stoney from the north

http://compscience.info/public/images/2009/stoneysarcee-may22-2.jpg
Looking east at Sarcee interchange

Stoney @ Arbour Lake Pedestrian Bridge
http://compscience.info/public/images/2009/stoneyarbourlake-may22-1.jpg

Stoney @ Crowchild
http://compscience.info/public/images/2009/stoneycrowchild-may22-1.jpg
Utility work (streetlights is my guess, they've been working for a couple weeks now all along here)

XRT Bridge over Stoney
http://compscience.info/public/images/2009/xrt-may22-1.jpg

[freeweed]

:previous: Most impressive is the shot of the XRT bridge. I didn't realize it was even started! :tup:

[mersar]

Yeah, its rolling along nicely. The slabs they are pouring look quite similar to how the ones for the other bridges started, so I'd bet that the bridge will be of a very similar looking design.

Heres another shot of the Arbour Lake/Royal Oak pedestrian bridge I grabbed today that actually shows the piers they are working on:

http://compscience.info/public/images/2009/stoneyarbourlake-may23-1.jpg

[kap384]

Paving at Stoney & Sarcee today. With the volume of workers and equipment, won't be surprised if they finish off all of the asphalt there today.

Mersar, after your tour the other day, what is our opinion on when Sarcee to Beddington might be ready to go?

[BFHeadstone]

I heard the other day that they hope to have both north portions open November.

[mersar]

I heard the other day that they hope to have both north portions open November.

The latest word from the province was a staggered opening with the last stretch of Beddington to Deerfoot for November, likely timed to open the same day as the NE.

Based on what I saw the other day, I wouldn't be surprised to see Sarcee to Beddington by late June possibly. The biggest tasks left appear to be line painting, as virtually all the signage is up and with Sarcee being paved today theres only a bit more paving on the one ramp at Shaganppi to be done that I could see. There was also a bit of concrete work around Sarcee that was started (mostly fixing broken curb it looked like), though that shouldn't take long since they did have the forms already in place.

[kap384]

Paving at Stoney & Sarcee today. With the volume of workers and equipment, won't be surprised if they finish off all of the asphalt there today.

Mersar, after your tour the other day, what is our opinion on when Sarcee to Beddington might be ready to go?

Had to run up that way again tonight (should learn to bring my camera:hell: ) Being done today is aggressive, but I bet they'll be done by Tuesday.

[YYCguys]

I left the city going north on Harvest Hills Blvd the other day and noticed that there was a sign up for Stoney Trail, but I was disappointed to note that there were traffic lights at that intersection :irked:

[mersar]

Yep, for a couple years there will be unfortunately.

That intersection may be another possible end spot if they do stagger the opening to more then just two spots, especially if the entire NW to that point is ready ahead of the NE (unlikely but let me dream). I say this as it would be a whole lot easier to just leave the barriers on the east side of that intersection that are already there rather then set up new barriers blocking a whole lot more road if they tried to partially open the Deerfoot interchange.

I also did notice they have the sign for the exit to Stoney eastbound sitting on NB Sarcee before the ramps, but they flipped it around so its currently facing the wrong way.

[kap384]

Today's update (Anyone count how often I go to Canadian Tire yet???)

Appears as if both northbound lanes of Sarcee are fully paved all the way to the other side of the overpass. Off-ramp to EB Stoney is oiled, ready for final paving. Crews have started to finish off the gutter work around the shopping complex as well (so I wonder if that part of Sarcee will get its final asphalt soon also:dunno: )

Off-ramp from NB Sarcee to WB Stoney is paved now. SB Sarcee to WB Stoney oiled and ready (freeweed, that really nasty transition on this ramp is nice and smooth now)

South bound Sarcee still needs to be finished.

[freeweed]

Awesome, I'm willing to take my car there again. :haha:

[mersar]

Yeah, it was pretty much done when I cut through there on my way over to Rocky Ridge tonight. They also looked to be moving the concrete barriers that redirect eastbound traffic up to Sarcee off the roadway, though that may have just been so they can pave where they were.

[craner]

Wow - sounds like the end might actually be in sight for NW Stoney (after what - 4 1/2 years?):rolleyes: And there will still be lights on it :brickwall:

Anyhow - good to see it coming to completion.:)

[korzym]

it's been a while since I've last contacted our friends at the stoney trail group. I got this prompt reply from them today:

Thank you for your interest in our NE Stoney Trail project. The design of the road demonstrates good planning practices and meets national safety standards. You indicated that you would like to know, "what will be the speed limit for the NE ring road and when will the website photographs be updated?" The Mainline speed limit for the NE ring road will be 110 km/hr. The website photographs are updated quarterly, a Spring update is being worked on and should be out by mid June.

Sincerely



Stoney Trail Group

110 km/h sounds pretty darn sweet to me..btw, it would be interesting to crunch the numbers for 16th ave vs. the ring road for commute times through/around Calgary [assuming the nw portion will also be 110, but i'm betting it will be 80 by construction and the intesection without an overpass]. What a wise move as well with the higher speed limit, once the SE portion gets done it will make the east freeway that much more attractive over deerfoot

[You Need A Thneed]

110 km/h is good to hear. Edmonton has 100km/h posted for the SE ring road, it's too low for a road built to that standard.

[lubicon]

it's been a while since I've last contacted our friends at the stoney trail group. I got this prompt reply from them today:

Thank you for your interest in our NE Stoney Trail project. The design of the road demonstrates good planning practices and meets national safety standards. You indicated that you would like to know, "what will be the speed limit for the NE ring road and when will the website photographs be updated?" The Mainline speed limit for the NE ring road will be 110 km/hr. The website photographs are updated quarterly, a Spring update is being worked on and should be out by mid June.

Sincerely



Stoney Trail Group

110 km/h sounds pretty darn sweet to me..btw, it would be interesting to crunch the numbers for 16th ave vs. the ring road for commute times through/around Calgary [assuming the nw portion will also be 110, but i'm betting it will be 80 by construction and the intesection without an overpass]. What a wise move as well with the higher speed limit, once the SE portion gets done it will make the east freeway that much more attractive over deerfoot

Here's what I came up with:

Distances calculated from 84 Street in the East to the TCH / Stoney intersection in the west.

NE Stoney: approx 21km @ 110 km/h = 11.5 minutes
NW Stoney: approx 15 km @ 80 km/h = 11.25 min.

Total time: approx 23 minutes. However the average speed along the NW portion is more likely to be 70 km/h if you factor in the 2 sets of lights. Add in another 2 minutes for that and the Ring Road will have a travel time of approx 25 minutes.

16th Ave:
Distance is approx 23km.

Average speed: 50 km/h: travel time 28 minutes
Average Speed 40 km/h: travel time 35 minutes.

The speed limit on 16th is 80 or 90 until 19 St NE and drops to basically 50 after that. Factor in the 2 million traffic lights or so and you would probably average 50 km/h at best for the entire distance and I would bet it is actually less than that.

Looks like you would save about 3-5 minutes at a minimum using Stoney Trail, and more like 10 minutes or more. Plus you don't have to stop 300 times at all the traffic lights.

[You Need A Thneed]

Here's what I came up with:

Distances calculated from 84 Street in the East to the TCH / Stoney intersection in the west.

NE Stoney: approx 21km @ 110 km/h = 11.5 minutes
NW Stoney: approx 15 km @ 80 km/h = 11.25 min.

Total time: approx 23 minutes. However the average speed along the NW portion is more likely to be 70 km/h if you factor in the 2 sets of lights. Add in another 2 minutes for that and the Ring Road will have a travel time of approx 25 minutes.

16th Ave:
Distance is approx 23km.

Average speed: 50 km/h: travel time 28 minutes
Average Speed 40 km/h: travel time 35 minutes.

The speed limit on 16th is 80 or 90 until 19 St NE and drops to basically 50 after that. Factor in the 2 million traffic lights or so and you would probably average 50 km/h at best for the entire distance and I would bet it is actually less than that.

Looks like you would save about 3-5 minutes at a minimum using Stoney Trail, and more like 10 minutes or more. Plus you don't have to stop 300 times at all the traffic lights.

Also, I doubt that the speed limit on the NW section will be 80km/hr for the whole thing once it opens. Likely, it will be 100, with sections of 80 leading up to the two traffic lights, and 100 in between. There isn't a chance people would drive only 80 or 90km/h along that section anyway.

More realisticly, I think the average speed on the NE section perhaps could be assumed at 115km/h, and the NW at about 100.

[mersar]

Yeah, I'd imagine the NW will be 100 as well. It's very easy to get up to that between Sarcee and Country Hills if your not paying attention

[frinkprof]

Yeah, I'd imagine the NW will be 100 as well. It's very easy to get up to that between Sarcee and Country Hills if your not paying attentionYup, very easy to get going 100 or more.

I would say that with both the NE and NW portions complete, that it will indeed be faster than taking 16th Avenue end-to-end.

[lubicon]

Interesting thing about 'average' speeds. Speed is determined by both time and distance travelled and even a relatively short distance (such as an on ramp) that is done at a lower speed will really affect your average. For the NW portion to 'average' 115 km/h, vehicles would likely need to travel at about 120 for the most part. My vehicle has an average speed calculator which I used for a trip from Calgary (Tuscany) to Regina last summer. My route was dowm Crowchild, across 16 Ave and then onto the #1. My average speed did not reach 100 until I was well EAST of Strathmore. Around Calgary my average speed is just under 40 over the course of a tank of gas.

[You Need A Thneed]

Interesting thing about 'average' speeds. Speed is determined by both time and distance travelled and even a relatively short distance (such as an on ramp) that is done at a lower speed will really affect your average. For the NW portion to 'average' 115 km/h, vehicles would likely need to travel at about 120 for the most part. My vehicle has an average speed calculator which I used for a trip from Calgary (Tuscany) to Regina last summer. My route was dowm Crowchild, across 16 Ave and then onto the #1. My average speed did not reach 100 until I was well EAST of Strathmore. Around Calgary my average speed is just under 40 over the course of a tank of gas.

Exactly why I said vehicles would average 100, not 115 for the NW section. Cars will be driving 110-115 on average in the 100 sections, but they are likely to stop at one of the two lights, and the sections of 80km/h will pull the average down.

[Oliver Klozov]

....... Cars will be driving 110-115 on average in the 100 sections, but they are likely to stop at one of the two lights, and the sections of 80km/h will pull the average down.

Oh yeah. At 100 km/h you would travel 10 km in 6 minutes. The length of the red on Stoney at one of the crossroads would be 30-45 seconds. With deceleration and acceleration let's call it a minute. Now that 10 km takes 7 minutes which equates to just over 85 km/h average. Stopping/slowing drops your average quite dramatically even though almost the whole distance was traveled at 100. In this case, it's about 15% for one red light in 10 km.

[korzym]

Ring road, transit improvements will drive up home prices on Calgary's fringes

Mario Toneguzzi, Calgary Herald
Published: Wednesday, May 27, 2009

CALGARY - House prices in select Calgary neighbourhoods, feeling the impact of upcoming transportation improvements, will get a 10 per cent to 20 per cent premium over and above what the rest of the city’s market gets in the coming years.

The Real Estate Investment Network, in a report released today called The Calgary Transportation Effect, said transportation is one of the 12 key fundamentals that drive real estate values up or down. This report focuses on how the completion of the Ring Road and the expansion of the C-Train will improve accessibility to the downtown core, which in turn will raise the value of real estate that is in proximity to these transportation improvements.

“Our tax dollars are being spent; this is an opportunity for average Calgarians to profit from those dollars,” said Don Campbell, the report’s lead author and president of the REIN. “When people look for a property to purchase — be it their primary residence or an investment property — they take into consideration affordability, commute times and commute costs.

“If you can reduce commute and travel times to and from an area, you make that area much more desirable as a place to live, and thus an increase in demand occurs.”

The rest of the story can be found here: http://www.globaltv.com/globaltv/calgary/Ring+road+expansion+drive+home+prices+Calgary+fringes/1635707/story.html

[freeweed]

:previous: Yeah, that story is basically what I've been saying all along. Well, I didn't buy where I did for property values exactly, but I very deliberately chose based on transportation options (both public and private).

Odd that in that story they mention Rocky Ridge but not Royal Oak as benefiting here. I guess there are too many new communities in Calgary for even an in-depth reporter to know about. :haha:

[Stang]

Odd that in that story they mention Rocky Ridge but not Royal Oak as benefiting here. I guess there are too many new communities in Calgary for even an in-depth reporter to know about. :haha:

To be honest, I always used to get those two mixed up. And in my mind they still kind of seem like one big community. Not sure why.

So, if I was to read between the lines, the much maligned ring road and LRT extension that forced the closure of Rocky Ridge Road might actually benefit the residents? ;) If the children survive, that is.

[freeweed]

To be honest, I always used to get those two mixed up. And in my mind they still kind of seem like one big community. Not sure why.

So, if I was to read between the lines, the much maligned ring road and LRT extension that forced the closure of Rocky Ridge Road might actually benefit the residents? ;) If the children survive, that is.

:haha:

Yeah, they should really just be called one community. One, they take up the same room as Tuscany roughly. And the community association is RR/RO. Blame the developers for wanting to overbrand the area.

The only real distinction is the road names (like all good Calgary communities of the past 40 years).

[Beltliner]

Looks like the opening dates for the northwest leg of Stoney Trail are really firming up now (http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/stmbdgp.htm):

Extension to Harvest Hills Boulevard -- July 2009
Extension to Deerfoot Trail -- November 2009

[mersar]

Good to see. Next question that I'm wondering is if that July part is only Beddington to Harvest Hills or the entire Sarcee to Harvest Hills, since its only on the Beddington to Deerfoot page and based off what I've seen Sarcee to Beddington is pretty close to being ready. The hold-up east of Beddington has been the bridge over the creek from what I've seen.

[Oliver Klozov]

... Next question that I'm wondering is if that July part is only Beddington to Harvest Hills or the entire Sarcee to Harvest Hills, since its only on the Beddington to Deerfoot page and based off what I've seen Sarcee to Beddington is pretty close to being ready.....

I also think Sarcee to Beddington might open sooner. From the scouting around I've done, I just can't see that much left to do to prevent an opening sometime in June, maybe even next week!

[Oliver Klozov]

I should also add that I don't believe there will be a big fanfair when either Sarcee to Beddington, Beddington to Harvest Hills or Sarcee to Harvest Hills opens. One day it will just be open. The big "Grand Opening" will wait until Harvest Hills to Deerfoot opens and the Ribbon Cutting ceremony will occur at the Deerfoot interchange.

[lubicon]

Pretty sure the new Tuscany / Scenic Acres interchange isn't supposed to open until this fall but they have been doing a lot of roadwork on Stoney Trail to the north and south of it lately. To the south they have been grading and to the north they have regraded Stoney and laid down a base of gravel for paving. Stoney will be shifted to the west slightly from where it currently is when this new interchange and the Crowchild interchange opens. The rest of NW Stoney has been a total cluster when it comes to construction but I am impressed with how this interchange has gone.

[mersar]

I went up past the Sarcee interchange again last night, and I have come to the conclusion that Stoney must be the most thoroughly signed roadway in the city. Crews were assembling another 6 of the huge overhead signs there, and looking east towards Beddington it looked like there were another couple being assembled over there as well. In terms of how close to completion it is, still no lines painted yet however all the concrete barriers are completely gone from what I could see, even the barriers along eastbound Stoney have been replaced with just the plastic pylons.

[You Need A Thneed]

I went up past the Sarcee interchange again last night, and I have come to the conclusion that Stoney must be the most thoroughly signed roadway in the city. Crews were assembling another 6 of the huge overhead signs there, and looking east towards Beddington it looked like there were another couple being assembled over there as well. In terms of how close to completion it is, still no lines painted yet however all the concrete barriers are completely gone from what I could see, even the barriers along eastbound Stoney have been replaced with just the plastic pylons.

Yeah, the signage standard has gone up a lot vs what it used to be. Much better now.

[You Need A Thneed]

I was going to mention too that I noticed while driving up 68th Street north of Saddlebrook that no work has been started on constructing any part of Airport Trail. So the overpass from Stoney to Airport Trail will be a useless road, and will remain closed even after the road opens.

Also, Metis Trail between Airport Trail and 80th Ave does not yet appear to be underway, meaning that the section of Metis Trail between Country Hills and Airport Trail is totally pointless, and that the Metis/Stoney Interchange will pretty much only be used by Skyview Ranch residents who want to use Stoney.

This will leave all of the communities North of McKnight with really poor access to Stoney, either having to go south to mcKnight to get on, or drive a poor narrow road (either 68th or 36th street) to get up to at least Country Hills Blvd. If they want to head out to the NW on Stoney, they will either have to go to Deerfoot, or Metis Trail to go North to Stoney, or head East to Stoney on Country Hills Blvd. All three ways involve some significant backtracking to the east before heading west.

The city has had 3 years to get these roads done in time for the opening of Stoney, and not having them done is a huge embarrassment.

[mersar]

Metis between Country Hills and 80th is supposed to start construction this summer, they've already done most of the earthworks between Country Hills and 100th last fall so the remaining twenty blocks shouldn't take long (they were held up as the city was forced to expropriate the land). The city has said that Metis will be fully connected by the time Stoney opens, as recently as a couple months back, though it will likely only be a single lane each way initially.

As for Airport Trail, the plan has been ever since the P3 was announced that the flyover for Airport Trail would be built now but the road itself between Metis and Stoney would not be done for a few years yet as there is no demand for the roadway yet, especially with Country Hills only a mile north and nothing in between the two. I personally doubt we'll see much action on Airport Trail on that side of the Airport until either the new runway is built with its tunnel, or if the runway goes ahead without the tunnel until some residential development is proposed on the north side of where Airport Trail will run and in that case probably only between about 60th Street and Stoney will be built to start.

[You Need A Thneed]

Metis between Country Hills and 80th is supposed to start construction this summer, they've already done most of the earthworks between Country Hills and 100th last fall so the remaining twenty blocks shouldn't take long (they were held up as the city was forced to expropriate the land). The city has said that Metis will be fully connected by the time Stoney opens, as recently as a couple months back, though it will likely only be a single lane each way initially.

As for Airport Trail, the plan has been ever since the P3 was announced that the flyover for Airport Trail would be built now but the road itself between Metis and Stoney would not be done for a few years yet as there is no demand for the roadway yet, especially with Country Hills only a mile north and nothing in between the two. I personally doubt we'll see much action on Airport Trail on that side of the Airport until either the new runway is built with its tunnel, or if the runway goes ahead without the tunnel until some residential development is proposed on the north side of where Airport Trail will run.

Yeah, I'm not so concerned with Airport Trail connecting up, though connecting it up to 60th Street doesn't seem like it would cost very much, it's not a very long stretch of road that would need to be built. It would mostly benefit the people north of 80th Avenue for now, giving them a little bit easier access to the East Freeway, say if they want to head down to the SE. Airport Trail isn't really required at this time for anything other than that.

Metis Trail is really important, however, as the main connector between the NE and anywhere to the North or North Central is currently 36th street, which is narrow, has sharp dropoff shoulders, and looks like a few too many mines have blown up on the road. The city cancelled a tender to rebuild that section of 36th Street that would have been under construction this summer.

I really hope it's done by the time the ring road opens in November, one lane in each direction is fine.

I sent off an email to Alderman Stevenson to ask about the current status of these roads, and the Metis/64th Interchange too.

[mersar]

Some new images from Stoney Trail Group (http://www.stoneytrailgroup.ca/photosSummer2009.html):

Deerfoot @ Stoney
http://www.stoneytrailgroup.ca/media/lgDeerfoot_Pond_View.jpg
Looking SW

http://www.stoneytrailgroup.ca/media/lgDeerfoot_Looking_SE.jpg
Looking SE

http://www.stoneytrailgroup.ca/media/lgDeerfoot_Looking_South.jpg
Looking South

[freeweed]

:previous: No way in hell is that opening this fall. Although I've been wrong before...

[You Need A Thneed]

:previous: No way in hell is that opening this fall. Although I've been wrong before...

Still 5-6 months to get it all done. Lots of time, mostly just final grading, paving, and finishing touches to do. Could be done early, IMO.

[Oliver Klozov]

I agree that there is time but ......

Looking at the 'Looking South' photo, I am surprised that the initial grading work for the new southbound lanes of QE2 hasn't even started yet. It is only widening and realigning the old northbound lanes so it can easily be done by fall but they had better start soon.

[lubicon]

:previous: No way in hell is that opening this fall. Although I've been wrong before...

Bet you're wrong Freeweed. I do have faith in this date for some reason.

They started paving the new portion of Stoney, north of the Tuscany / Scenic Acres interchange this morning. And moving a lot of dirt on the new portion to the south of the interchange.

[korzym]

16th ave NE is at the same stage, maybe a little further ahead. Between 16th ave and mcknight, stoney is paved, has street lights up, and all thats left to do is to lay down the paint, errect signage, and perhaps to create a divider between north and southbound lanes.

[freeweed]

Let me rephrase - there's no way in hell it will be done on time IF the work is being done by the same contractors doing the NW section. If it's the guys doing the NE, sure, no problem.

I swear, the pedestrian bridge over Stoney will be a year in the making. A similar bridge in the NE that started well after it already has the girders up. I know someone doing some work on both projects and they're floored at how long the Stoney bridge is taking.

Never mind every other delay on the NW section. Didn't I once read 2007 as an opening date?

[Slug]

Anyone know the extent of traffic lights being installed on the ring road? After seeing the installed lights at the center street intersection I began to wonder if all this money is being spent on another Barlow or McKnight.

[You Need A Thneed]

Anyone know the extent of traffic lights being installed on the ring road? After seeing the installed lights at the center street intersection I began to wonder if all this money is being spent on another Barlow or McKnight.

Harvest Hills/ Centre Street & Nose Hill Drive are going to be the only lights on the road.

And there's rumours going around that the Nose Hill Drive interchange might be announced by the Alberta Gov't soon. There will be no lights on the NE section, or the SE section which should start construction next year.

[lubicon]

Let me rephrase - there's no way in hell it will be done on time IF the work is being done by the same contractors doing the NW section. If it's the guys doing the NE, sure, no problem.

I swear, the pedestrian bridge over Stoney will be a year in the making. A similar bridge in the NE that started well after it already has the girders up. I know someone doing some work on both projects and they're floored at how long the Stoney bridge is taking.

Never mind every other delay on the NW section. Didn't I once read 2007 as an opening date?

Don't worry Freeweed, they have it all figured out. Stoney will finally open all the way to Deerfoot this fall but if there was no more construction zones then people could actually use the road to its full potential. They need a construction zone to slow people down and to generate revenue via tickets. Once they have that pedestrian bridge up, don't forget that they are going to build another one linking Tuscany and Scenic Acres, and it hasn't started yet. The timing will likely be done so that the opening of one bridge coincides with the start of construction of the 2nd bridge (and maybe the Nose Hill Drive interchange) so that we can endure another couple of years of construction.

I can't find any evidence to support it, but I think you may be correct in the original opening date being 2007 for Stoney. But then they added several more interchanges which pushed it back to 2008, and then delayed it another year to 2009 due to 'a shortage of workers'.

[You Need A Thneed]

I sent off an email to Alderman Stevenson to ask about the current status of these roads, and the Metis/64th Interchange too.

Reply I received this afternoon:

Thank you for contacting Alderman Stevenson's office.

I have gone to the City of Calgary website for info regarding the area you have asked about. It doesn't address all your questions so I have sent an email off to Alberta Transportation and City Roads requesting an update.

As soon as I hear back from them I will be in contact with you.

Yeah, of course you didn't find anything on the city's website, if it was on there, I would have seen it, even despite how unorganized the city's website is.

[lubicon]

Harvest Hills/ Centre Street & Nose Hill Drive are going to be the only lights on the road.

And there's rumours going around that the Nose Hill Drive interchange might be announced by the Alberta Gov't soon. There will be no lights on the NE section, or the SE section which should start construction next year.

The $100 million that the Feds are putting into SE Stoney (which the province now unexpectedly has) could build both the Harvest Hills and Nose Hill Drive interchanges, with enough left over to help fund the Airport Trail tunnel. But that's probably wishful thinking.:(

[You Need A Thneed]

The $100 million that the Feds are putting into SE Stoney (which the province now unexpectedly has) could build both the Harvest Hills and Nose Hill Drive interchanges, with enough left over to help fund the Airport Trail tunnel. But that's probably wishful thinking.:(

Exactly what I think the province should do with that $100M.

[kap384]

Let me rephrase - there's no way in hell it will be done on time IF the work is being done by the same contractors doing the NW section. If it's the guys doing the NE, sure, no problem.

I swear, the pedestrian bridge over Stoney will be a year in the making. A similar bridge in the NE that started well after it already has the girders up. I know someone doing some work on both projects and they're floored at how long the Stoney bridge is taking.

Never mind every other delay on the NW section. Didn't I once read 2007 as an opening date?


Yep, at best they work on that bridge 1 day per week. A freakin joke:hell:

[Smevo]

Never mind every other delay on the NW section. Didn't I once read 2007 as an opening date?

I'm positive you're right on that former opening date. I have an older map in the work truck and I'm sure it says "opening fall 2007" on the NW section, and I think it even has all the currently planned interchanges on it. I'll take a look tomorrow to see if I'm remembering correctly.

[Smevo]

I checked today, it did have "Open Fall 2007" on it, but it didn't have the current interchanges.

[freeweed]

So, all those projects that got delayed due to "worker shortages" - I wonder if we'll see any schedules accelerated now that workers abound, recession and everything.

:rolleyes:

[craner]

The $100 million that the Feds are putting into SE Stoney (which the province now unexpectedly has) could build both the Harvest Hills and Nose Hill Drive interchanges, with enough left over to help fund the Airport Trail tunnel. But that's probably wishful thinking.

Exactly what I think the province should do with that $100M.

:previous: Me too - These three things all Need to get done - perfect use of Federal money. (IMO).

[MalcolmTucker]

Stoney Trail Extension
Highway 8 to Highway 1


The Alberta government has commissioned a functional planning study to address the long term transportation needs

for the west section of the Calgary Ring Road – Stoney Trail Extension from Highway 8 to Highway 1.



An initial open house held in June 2008 introduced the project to the public. A second open house in November 2008

presented proposed plans and alternatives under consideration. Input received at both open houses was considered

by the project team as the project progressed.



A third open house has now been scheduled for:

Wednesday June 17, 2009

4 p.m. - 8 p.m.

First Lutheran Church

7102 14 Ave SW

Calgary, AB



Stakeholders and interested members of the public are invited to attend the open house to view recommended plans

for the West Calgary Ring Road. Members of the project team will be available to answer questions and to receive comments.



Janet Willson

Consultation/Communications Lead

West Calgary Ring Road

Functional Planning Study

www.westcrr.ca1

[craner]

:previous: Thanks.
Unfortunately I will not be in town so someone please attend and report back.;)

[mersar]

Thats the same night as the XRT open house so I'll try to get to both

[korzym]

Between mcknight and 16th ave, street lights are up. These were taken when we had the 25+ degrees days a week ago
looking N-E-E
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a53/korzym/Image006-1.jpg

Looking south at 16th ave, they paved the road right up to the bridge deck practically
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a53/korzym/Image014.jpg

looking north with mcknight in the distance. this is where the road suddenly winds, why? to keep people focused on the road?
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a53/korzym/Image015.jpg