Calgary summer road construction ramps up in downturn

As Calgary commuterscrawlthrough the 127road construction projects the city has planned this summer, they'll have plenty of time to thank the economic downturn for the traffic congestion.

The city has upped its number of projects this year,including three major ones on 14 Street N.W., John Laurie Boulevard, and Macleod Trail in an "attempt to stimulate the economy," said city spokesperson ChrisMcGeachy.

"We've recast capital dollars from future years to try to take advantage of depressed oil prices and get more work done," he toldCBC Calgary News at 6.

• Supply glut worries cause oil to close below $40 US for 1st time since April

Chris McGeachy explains why motorists will likely notice worse traffic congestion this summer

8 years ago

Duration 2:52

The economic downturn has spurred the city on to undertake more construction projects, while poor weather has condensed the window that workers have to complete them.

The city has budgeted roughly$15.6 million for the summerpaving, with a 70-30 split between major and local roads.

"Thankfully, these roads are only done every 12 to 15 years. Once it's done, it'll be done for a while," McGeachy said.

Wet weather dampens plans

The city had hoped to get a jump on the projects in July, but frequent thunderstorms and wet weather dampened their plans.

"It's kind of shortened our window a little bit. Motorists will notice work happening in multiple locations where we'd typically try to schedule these throughout the summer," he said.

The city hopes to have all of the projects wrapped up by the end of September.

In the meantime, they're asking road users to use extracaution in construction zones and choosealternate routes when possible.

Major projects underway

14 Street N.W.

• Traffic will be reduced to a single lane in each direction on 14 Street N.W. in four separate stages from 8 Avenue N.W. to Memorial Drive N.W.
• This work accommodates base repairs under certain stretches of the road, milling and paving work.
• It will beginAug.8and is expected to last through September 2016.

JohnLaurieBoulevard N.W.

• Expect reduced lanes in each direction between McKnight Boulevard and 14 Street N.W. beginning Friday, weather permitting.
• Base repairs will occur in the eastbound lanes ofJohnLaurieBoulevard from 40 Avenue N.W. to McKnight Boulevard N.W. beginning Friday
• Milling of the existing asphalt is scheduled forAug.13 and14
• Paving begins Aug.20and is scheduled to go throughAug.30

Macleod Trail S.E.

• Reduced lanes will be in place along Macleod Trail S.E. from 34 Avenue to 58 Avenue S.E. beginningAug.19.
• Milling work in the northbound lanes between 58 Avenue and 34 Avenue S.E. will begin the evening of Aug.19 through Aug.21.
• Milling in the southbound lanes begins Aug.26 through Aug.28.
• Paving is scheduled in the northbound lanes forAug.21 through Sept. 3.