As part of Alberta’s Recovery Plan, this project will create jobs for Calgarians while making Deerfoot Trail safer and more efficient.

The three groups are:

  • Calgary Safelink Partners
  • Deerfoot Trail Partners
  • Deerfoot Trail Infrastructure Partners (EllisDon)

“Calgarians know what traffic on the Deerfoot is like. That’s why we’re taking action to ease traffic and make life better for Calgarians with significant improvements to Deerfoot Trail.  Alberta’s Recovery Plan is investing a record amount, more than $20.3 billion, on improving and building the infrastructure that Albertans need. This P3 project will not just make Deerfoot safer and less congested while creating good jobs for Calgarians, it will also save tax dollars.”

Rajan Sawhney, Minister of Transportation

Four teams responded to the May 2021 request for qualifications. The submissions were evaluated based on company experience, personnel, past performance and financial capability. The groups include financing, construction, design and maintenance companies.

The three shortlisted groups have until July 2022 to submit their proposals and financial bids, after which the successful proponent will be selected. Construction is anticipated to begin in fall 2022. Deerfoot Trail is Alberta’s busiest road. These improvements are necessary to ensure the road will continue to get Calgarians where they need to safely and efficiently.

Improvements will include:

  • Twinning Ivor Strong Bridge
  • Improving Anderson Road/Bow Bottom Trail Interchange
  • Twinning the bridge over Glenmore Trail
  • Reconfiguring the 17 Avenue SE and Memorial Drive Interchanges and eliminating weaving traffic
  • Widening between 17 Avenue SE and Airport Trail to four lanes in each direction

Alberta's recovery plan is a bold, ambitious, long-term strategy to build and diversify our economy while creating good jobs for Albertans. It includes Alberta’s historic $20.3 billion dollar capital plan, which will create 90,000 jobs while building and upgrading critical infrastructure across Alberta.           

Quick facts

  • Alberta’s P3 framework provides greater flexibility in building infrastructure, creating jobs and stimulating the economy while making the most of limited taxpayer dollars.
  • Approximate timeline:
    • May 2021 – request for qualifications posted
    • August 2021 – groups shortlisted to proceed to submit proposals
    • July 2022 – proponent selected and contract awarded
    • Fall 2022 – construction begins
    • Fall 2026 – project completion
  • The three shortlisted groups include:
    • Calgary Safelink Partners – Vinci Highways SAS; Graham Capital Partners; Carmacks Enterprises Ltd.; Graham Infrastructure LP; Vinci Infrastructure Canada Limited; and Parsons Inc.
    • Deerfoot Trail Partners: – Aecon Concessions; Aecon Infrastructure Management Inc.; Meridiam Infrastructure North America Fund III; Stantec Consulting Ltd.; Wood Environment & Infrastructure; CH2M-Hill Canada Ltd. (Jacobs); and COWI North America Ltd.
    • Deerfoot Trail Infrastructure Partners (EllisDon) – EllisDon Capital Inc.; EllisDon Construction Services; Lafarge Canada; and Aecom Canada Ltd.
  • Approximately 180,000 vehicles use the Deerfoot Trail daily.