Residents of Airdrie’s southwest will have to contend with construction on Eighth Street as the City of Airdrie began work to twin the major north-south roadway July 25.
According to Team Leader, Engineering Services Bob Neale, the work will help ease some of southwest Airdrie’s traffic congestion – eventually.
“We’re twinning Eighth Street to meet growth and development pressures in the city,” he said. “The majority of the new development is happening in the southwest half of our city right at the moment and there is increased demand on our regional connections to Calgary.”
The section of Eighth Street to be twinned runs from Yankee Valley to Hillcrest Way.
“From Yankee Valley north, it’s already been twinned all the way to Veterans Boulevard,” Neale said.
Along with construction of the actual roadway, Neale said the other major component of the project is adding the infrastructure for future traffic signals.
“As the communities on the east and west side of Eighth Street are building out, there’s a…requirement for traffic signals at the major intersections that we’ve identified.”
Neale said traffic signals would be installed at 40 Avenue and Hillcrest Way/Windford Drive. Signals have already been installed at Coopers Link/Prairie Springs Drive.
Initial preparation of the site began July 25, according to Neale.
“The contractor is doing locates (of utilities), hydro-vacuuming utilities – just prepping the site before the contractor comes in to start moving material,” he said.
The actual roadwork will begin Aug. 2, weather permitting. The project includes construction of a four-lane divided roadway, new asphalt, construction of curbs and gutters and underground work to install the stormwater utilities, traffic signals and landscaping.
During the construction, residents can expect to experience road closures, detours and reduced speed limits in the area. Neale said the work is expected to be complete by the end of September.
Taxpayers are off the hook for this large, approximately $6-million project, according to Neale, with the funding coming from the City’s levy reserve.
“We negotiate with the development community to set rates for transportation network improvements, and this is entirely funded by that funding source,” he said.
Message boards have been set up in the area of the construction to alert motorists to the changes and upcoming road closures.
“Be aware of workers on the road and please obey all construction signs,” Neale said.
More information about all of the roadwork currently taking place in Airdrie can be found on the City’s website at airdrie.ca
