Whether travelling by car, bicycle or on foot, the commute to work via Glenmore Trail east just got a whole lot smoother.The City of Calgary has announced it has finished construction on the Graves Bridge Twinning and Glenmore Trail Improvements project.
The new bridge crosses the Bow River immediately north of and parallel to the existing Graves Bridge and is as one of the most significant improvements to the Glenmore Trail corridor east of Deerfoot Trail.
Drivers will be pleased that the new bridge will improve traffic flow over the river. The City’s east-side should move-along nicely too due to the widening of Glenmore Trail to three lanes in each direction between Deerfoot Trail and 18 Street S.E.
Originally constructed in the 1960s, Glenmore Trail and the Graves Bridge helped make further development east of the Bow River possible. As this area has grown rapidly, twinning the Graves Bridge and the improvements to Glenmore Trail was deemed a necessity to improving citizens commutes and the movement of goods.
During construction, the disruption of wildlife was minimized by The City working within strict guidelines set by Alberta Environment, Department of Fisheries and Ocean and Transport Canada. For example, wildlife corridors were not blocked by construction and work done in the Bow River was done outside of fish spawning times.
This project also helps encourage alternate modes of transportation. One of four lanes on the new Graves Bridge is currently dedicated for pedestrian use and provides better access to the regional pathway system on both sides the Bow River.
As traffic needs increase this lane will be converted for vehicles and a pedestrian bridge will be built.
What are your thoughts? Has this eased your Glenmore East commute?
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The bridge isn't done??? The East bound lane is still only 2 lanes with the other one closed for no apparent reason! I haven't seen anyone working there for months now even when the weather is good. When will this project be finished? I live in Riverbend and it really is a pain to drive back home every day.
ReplyDeleteHi there:
ReplyDeleteI talked to our Transportation folks about your questions and they told me that:
The bridge for westbound traffic is indeed complete, which is what the above article was referring to, despite reference to "Glenmore East"
Road work continues on Glenmore Trail eastbound bridge. Rehabilitation work started last fall, but the nature of the rehab work (hydro-demolition) requires above freezing temperatures so the contractor elected to shut down for the winter.
Work will be resuming by mid-March and is scheduled to be complete this fall.
There has always been two lanes in the eastbound direction and we will be retaining those same lanes throughout construction. Capacity has been reduced somewhat since the speed is down from 80 to 60 kmph. Upon completion of the work, the speed limit is expected to return to 80 kmph.
Hope this helps.