Deerfoot Trail is a vital artery for Calgary, enabling the efficient movement of people and goods. Improving this highway is essential to reduce congestion, improve safety and enhance connectivity for thousands of daily drivers. As Calgary grows, the improvements to Deerfoot Trail will better meet the needs of its growing population, helping drivers spend less time staring at tail-lights, and more time doing the things they love.
The expansion of Deerfoot Trail as well as the new connection of Beddington Trail and the adjacent 11 Street NE is now complete, relieving many headaches for drivers. Diverting considerable commuter, industrial and airport traffic between McKnight Boulevard and Beddington Trail to this new connection will increase safety and reduce weaving northbound on Deerfoot Trail. These improvements will also address key bottlenecks between Glenmore Trail and Anderson Road/Bow Bottom Trail, helping people get where they need to go more efficiently.
“It’s great to see provincial construction wrap up on this critical road for Calgary drivers. I’d like to thank the contractors for building a wider, more efficient Deerfoot and also thank Calgarians for their patience during construction. This project will benefit so many families that commute everyday and is another example of how we're making life better for Albertans.”
Work on this section of Deerfoot Trail began in spring 2023 and includes connecting 11 Street NE to westbound Beddington Trail and northbound Deerfoot Trail. Upgrades also included adding a fourth continuous lane to Deerfoot Trail in each direction from Airport Trail to Beddington Trail.
The suite of Deerfoot Trail improvements began in 2022 with work on 64 Avenue, which was competed in 2023. The Beddington Trail and 11 Street project is the second key segment to be completed. The totality of work on Deerfoot Trail includes increased capacity on ramps, additional lanes, reconfiguring exits and intersections and twinning a bridge. Improvements to Deerfoot Trail are being completed in distinct projects, prioritizing the most congested areas. It is estimated that the remaining Deerfoot Trail improvements will be complete by fall 2027. This important work will enhance safety and save time for drivers.
“I am thrilled the province has chosen to invest in one of our most critical transportation corridors. This investment will enhance the efficiency and safety in the movement of goods and people for all road users. We look forward to continuing our collaborative partnership with the provincial government on future enhancements that will contribute to a more effective and safer transportation network for our city.”
“We are excited to have an improved Deerfoot Trail and completed Beddington Trail NW and 11 Street NE enhancing access to YYC Calgary International Airport for our guests and commercial partners by reducing traffic congestion, providing alternative routes, growing connectivity and boosting economic and logistics efficiency.”
Quick facts
- Aecon Transportation West Ltd. completed the construction of the Beddington Trail and 11 Street NE connector for $19 million.
- Other improvements will increase capacity for current and future traffic volumes and include:
- Deerfoot Trail and 64 Avenue NE – Began in fall 2022; completed in summer 2023.
- McKnight Boulevard – Aecon Transportation West began work in spring 2023 anticipated completion in fall 2025.
- Bow Bottom Trail/Anderson Road, Southland Drive and Glenmore Trail work – Aecon Infrastructure Management started work in spring 2023; anticipated completion in fall 2027.
- 16 Avenue NE – Aecon Transportation West began work in Spring 2024; anticipated completion in fall 2025.
- Ivor Strong Bridge twinning - Aecon Infrastructure Management continues progress; anticipated completion in fall 2027.
- Budget 2024 allocated $523.8 million for these upgrades.
- Deerfoot Trail is a major north-south freeway in Calgary and has been in operation since the 1970s; up to about 180,000 vehicles travel this road, daily.
- When the entire suite of improvements on Deerfoot Trail is completed, motorists can expect about:
- 15 per cent faster morning rush hour commutes
- 22 per cent faster evening rush hour commutes
- 900,000 hours saved annually on the Deerfoot Trail
- An economic boost of about $23 million, annually