Trans-Canada detour set to begin near Canada Olympic Park

Commuters should expect delays on the Trans-Canada as traffic will be detoured starting Wednesday for construction of a major new interchange near Canada Olympic Park.

A six-lane detour will handle traffic for approximately 15 months while the interchange is being constructed at Trans-Canada Highway — or 16 Avenue — and Bowfort Road in the city's northwest.

Speed will be limited to 50 km/h on the detour.

The $71.7-million project is designed to eliminate the traffic signals at the intersection of Trans-Canada Highway and Bowfort Road N.W.

The city says the improvement is required because the intersection that feeds into Canada Olympic Park has exceeded capacity.

Short-term pain, says city

City engineers say the short-term pain will pay off by late 2016 when drivers should see a free flowing Trans-Canada.

Prior to the opening of the detour, there will be some lane restrictions and closures on the Trans-Canada on Aug. 31 and Sept. 1 to allow for the completion of traffic signal work, the city said in a statement.

Calgary police will be on hand to help ease the traffic delays, it added.

The project design includes a six-lane cross-section for the Trans-Canada and a single-point interchange at Bowfort Road.

There will also be a six-lane bridge with dual left turns in all directions and two through-lanes in each direction on Bowfort Road, the city says.