The Southwest Calgary Ring Road (SWCRR) is about 80 per cent complete and remains on track for completion in fall 2021. The opening provides safer and more efficient travel for people and goods in and around Calgary, as it cuts more than 6.5 kilometres off existing travel routes. Construction of the SWCRR has created about 2,000 jobs.
“We’re one step closer to having a free-flowing road circling Alberta’s largest city. The Tsuu T’ina Trail will be an asset for Calgarians for years to come. This road will improve commutes and help create more opportunities for job creators and Calgarians who will benefit from this world-class infrastructure. As the rest of this road is completed, it will also create good jobs to get folks back to work.”
“Opening this section of the Calgary Ring Road is a major accomplishment. While all Calgarians and Albertans will benefit from this opening, the residents of southwest Calgary who have been stuck in traffic jams for decades will especially benefit from improved access to and egress from their communities. Tsuut’ina Trail is a testament to the friendship and partnership between Calgary, the Tsuut’ina Nation and all of Alberta.”
“The Calgary Ring Road is a long-term investment in safe and efficient transportation that will benefit local businesses, strengthen trade opportunities and help Calgarians get where they need to go. Canada’s infrastructure plan invests in thousands of projects, creates jobs across the country, and builds stronger communities.”
“When our citizens approved the transfer of the land for the ring road, it was in large measure to allow us to develop our lands. With the opening of the ring road, we can continue our development Taza, which will provide economic prosperity to the Tsuut’ina Nation and to the City of Calgary.”
During the 2020 construction season, crews completed grading and paving, building the bridges and ramps at the interchanges, lighting and line painting. The 12-kilometre portion that is now open makes up just under 40 per cent of Southwest Calgary Ring Road.
Including the West Calgary Ring Road, the Calgary Ring Road will provide 101 kilometres of free-flow travel around Calgary once it is complete, and its construction will support more than 8,000 jobs.
Alberta’s Recovery Plan is a bold, ambitious long-term strategy to build, diversify, and create tens of thousands of jobs now. By building schools, roads and other core infrastructure we are benefiting our communities. By diversifying our economy and attracting investment with Canada’s most competitive tax environment, we are putting Alberta on a path for a generation of growth. Alberta came together to save lives by flattening the curve and now we must do the same to save livelihoods, grow and thrive.
Quick facts
- Construction of Southwest Calgary Ring Road began in 2016 and supports about 2,000 jobs.
- The Southwest Calgary Ring Road, including the newly opened Tsuut’ina Trail, will connect Highway 8 and Macleod Trail and includes 47 bridges and 14 interchanges.
- The opening of this section of the road will reduce the distance from the Sarcee-Glenmore corner to the corner of Anderson Road and 37 Street SW (general location of the TTN Administration Building) from 13.4 kilometres (via Glenmore Trail and 14 Street SW) to 6.8 kilometres via Tsuut’ina Trail.
- 15 million cubic metres of earth has been excavated to date; this is equivalent to the height and length of a 550-storey Canadian Football League field.
- 13 million kilograms of rebar has been used on bridges and other structures.
- One million metric tonnes of asphalt will have been used as part of the completion of the job.
- The total estimated cost of the Southwest Calgary Ring Road is $1.4 billion.
- In Budget 2020, Alberta’s government committed to about $459 million over three years.
- The Government of Canada has contributed $333.6 million to the project through the National Infrastructure Component.
Editor's note: A previous version of this statement contained an error.
