Blackfoot Trail over 9 Avenue S.E. Bridge Rehabilitation
Project Update – April 2025
Traffic flow changes are coming to both Blackfoot Trail and 9 Avenue SE in the coming weeks to facilitate rehabilitation work on the bridge.
Impacts to 9 Avenue S.E.
- Beginning the week of April 14th, the north sidewalk along 9 Avenue S.E. under the bridge will be closed for pedestrian traffic. Pedestrians will be rerouted to the south sidewalk at the intersections of 15 or 16 Street S.E.
- Overnight closures to 9 Avenue S.E. (both the eastbound and westbound lanes) will be required for a couple of weeks in April to allow crews to safely install a work platform overhead for bridge rehab. Bidirectional travel will be maintained during the lane closures.
Construction flaggers will be on site to safely guide pedestrians and traffic through the underpass while the work platforms are being installed overnight in April. The north sidewalk will be closed and the pedestrian detour will be in place until June.
Impacts to Blackfoot Trail over 9th Avenue S.E.
- The eastbound traffic lanes on Blackfoot Trail will shift into the median over 9 Avenue S.E. beginning on April 11. This shift is expected to remain until June.
- No lane closures will occur and bidirectional traffic will be maintained.
We appreciate your understanding and thank you for reducing your speed through the area while we undertake this important rehabilitation work.
About the project
The Blackfoot Trail over 9th Avenue S.E. bridge is a 4-lane structure with two southbound and two northbound lanes. This bridge has been identified for a major rehabilitation to address deterioration. This rehabilitation is expected to improve conditions for motorists and those walking and wheeling along 9 Avenue S.E.
To facilitate the inspection of the upper south retaining wall, the “Corridors” artwork was removed in the fall of 2023.
Benefits
The project benefits include:
- Improving the condition of the bridge and extending its service life by approximately 30 years
- Improve the overall safety and accessibility of the connection along 9 Avenue S.E. under Blackfoot Trail for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists, including the addition of streetlights to the Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) railway bridge.
- Replacing the expansion joint to help prevent further deterioration
- General concrete repairs to help prevent future deterioration of the bridge.
- Improving a critical link in the transportation network to accommodate opportunities for Calgary's continued growth in the coming years
Project Scope
Rehabilitation work will include:
- Sidewalk replacement and repairs under the bridge to improve the pedestrian experience
- Replacement of the CPKC railway bridge underpass lighting, improving safety for those walking and wheeling under the bridge
- Replacing existing concrete with a stronger, more resistant asphalt
- Replacement of concrete traffic barriers
- Bridge deck and retaining wall repairs
The City will actively monitor the impact(s) on traffic due to construction activities and make every effort to minimize disruptions to commuters by:
- Coordinating work with adjacent projects when possible
- Reviewing and changing traffic signal timing, as appropriate
- Scheduling traffic and pedestrian detours and closures during off-peak hours and on weekends, when possible
The City will maintain pedestrian and wheeling traffic through the area and clearly mark any closures or detours that may be required to facilitate construction.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the Blackfoot Trail over 9 Avenue S.E. Bridge in need of repair?
Ongoing regular maintenance along with timely major rehabilitations are critical to keeping bridges safe and reliable while minimizing future costs and extending the service life of this type of structure.
The project will improve a critical link in the transportation network and support Calgary's continued growth in the coming decades.
Are there any plans to replace the artwork that was removed in 2023?
The City will explore opportunities for future artwork projects upon completion of the bridge rehabilitation work. |
Will public transit be impacted by construction?
There will be minimal impacts to the scheduled bus service, including Calgarians departing from and arriving to the BRT terminal.
Project timeline
- Construction start: April 2025
- Substantial completion: Fall 2025
Construction activities are dependent on several factors. Timelines may change due to inclement weather, complexity, supply chain, and/or other unexpected circumstances.
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Contact Us
Have questions or want to learn more about this project? Contact the project team at: blackfoottrailbridge@calgary.ca
Investment
The budget for this project is $6.3 million.