Twelve kilometre section of Tsuut’ina Trail opens to traffic
Government of Alberta release: Tsuut’ina Trail, the southwest portion of Calgary’s Ring Road, is now open between Sarcee Trail and Fish Creek Boulevard.
The Tsuut’ina Trail 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 Tsuut’ina Trail 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.”
Jason Kenney, Premier
“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.”
Ric McIver, Minister of Transportation
“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.”
Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure & Communities Canada
“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.”
Chief Roy Whitney, Tsuut’ina Nation
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 Tsuut’ina Trail.
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 Tsuut’ina Trail began in 2016 and supports about 2,000 jobs.
-Tsuut’ina Trail will connect Highway 8 and Macleod Trail and includes 47 bridges and 14 interchanges.
-The opening of this section of Tsuut’ina Trail 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.