SWAHD – Project Information

SWAHD – Project Information

Public Information Session

Project Overview

Project Description

SWAHD connecting Whitemud Drive and Calgary Trail was the first quadrant of the City of Edmonton’s ring road network to be completed in 2006, prior to the full development of the ring road design guidelines used with the later P3 quadrants.

It was originally designed to meet traffic capacity requirements through 2020 with a plan to accommodate up to 40,000 vehicles per day.  It was originally graded and most bridge structures were designed and constructed to accommodate two future lane expansions in each direction.

Initial design traffic capacity on this section of the highway was surpassed in 2009 and by 2020, traffic volumes averaged 80,000 vehicles per day.

Scope of Work

This 3-year project which commenced in 2020 includes widening of the existing bridge structures over the North Saskatchewan River and Wedgewood Creek, expanding the interchange at Whitemud Drive and widening of the existing 18.7 km section of highway to a six-lane cross-section through construction of new shoulder lanes in each direction of travel.

The scope also includes grading preparations for future median lane expansions and refurbishment of the existing highway and interchange surfaces.

Besides improving design consistency, adding two lanes will better serve traffic volumes, accommodating up to 120,000 vehicles per day.

This project is complex for many reasons, including construction staging to minimize disruption within a major commuter corridor of the second largest city in Alberta, expansion and rehabilitation of PCCP roadway surfaces and median construction works.

Adding to the complexity of this project is the expansion of existing bridge structures requiring design revisions to correspond to as-built conditions.

North Saskatchewan River Bridge Update

NORTH SASKATCHEWAN RIVER BRIDGE DECK POUR

                       South Bound Anthony Henday Drive

                            North Bound Anthony Henday Drive

• Work Activity:
  • Bridge Construction

• Traffic Impact: 
  • During work hours speed 60km/hr (During nonwork hours – speed posted 80 km/hr) Weekends remain 80km/hr unless update provided.
  • Closed to traffic Thursday night through to Monday Morning.
    • NSR Bridge at NB Anthony Henday Drive will be closed. Crossover Traffic will be diverted to SB bridge.

• Duration:
  • June 9th (8pm) – June 12th (6am)
  • June 16th (8pm) – June 19th (6am)

          

• Work Activity:
  • Bridge Construction
• Traffic Impact:
  • During work hours speed 60km/hr (During nonwork hours – speed posted 80 km/hr) Weekends remain 80km/hr unless update provided.
  • Closed to traffic for Thursday night for 2 weeks through to Monday Morning.
    • NSR Bridge at NB Anthony Henday Drive will be closed. Crossover Traffic will be diverted to South Bound bridge at the start then it will change to South Bound Lane diverted to North Bound, but when the switch will happen is still to be determined.

• Duration:
  • June 23^rd 8pm – July 10^th 6am

Traffic Accommodation Impacts:  What to Expect

YOU HAVE SMARTER COMMUTE OPTIONS

DELAYS Due to planned frequent traffic-pattern changes, reduced speeds and anticipated congestion, the travelling public is encouraged to choose alternate routes that would provide more predictable commuting times for the duration of the 2022 construction season.  You have smarter commute options. Expect delays within the construction limits, particularly during peak commute times and during the night. Accidents and mechanical failures will result in significant traffic delays until cleared.
		REDUCED SPEED LIMITS The posted speed of 100 km/hr will be reduced to 80 km/hr at each Work Area. A further reduction to 60 km/hr will occur if the traffic patterns pose a heightened hazard for the public and construction personnel. Anticipate a maximum speed of 80km/h throughout the project limit during the construction season.
CHANGING TRAFFIC PATTERNS Two lanes in each direction of travel will be maintained Monday through Friday between 6:00 am and 8:00 pm. At least one lane in each direction of travel will be maintained Monday through Friday between 8:00 pm and 6:00 am and on weekends. Lane widths will be reduced from 3.7m to 3.5m and shoulder widths will be reduced to 0.6m.

CONTACT US

Project 24 Hr Message Service
1-866-364-7339

Traffic Conditions
https://511.alberta.ca/#:Alerts
Dial:  511

Project Director: Sean Nemcsok
sean.nemcsok@carmacksent.com
780–955–5545

Communications: Elizabeth Patterson
communications@carmacksent.com
403-543-0305