Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors Minister Devin Dreeshen confirmed drivers can now go on the West Bow Ring Road. “The bridge that’s right behind me is officially open as of today,” said Dreeshen at a Thursday press conference. “It’s one lane of traffic.” Since paving is ongoing, Dreeshen said the remaining lanes will open up in the following days. He added 80,000 vehicles go across the Bow River every day, and twinning the bridge over it is a huge announcement. By early next year, he said the Calgary Ring Road will be done. The Calgary Ring Road will be 101 kilometres of paved area surrounding the city. About four kilometres of Stoney Trail from the Trans Canada Highway south of it to Bow Trail opened on October 1, and it included traffic from the system interchanges in the areas and the new interchanges at Valley Ridge Boulevard, Old Banff Coach Road, and Bow Trail. For the first time, these communities will have connections to the northwestern part of Stoney Trail and the Trans Canada Highway. He called this “an exciting day for Calgarians.” Now that the West Bow Ring Road is completed, he said it will save people 20 minutes of commuting time. Alberta United Conservative Party MLA Demetrios Nicolaides (Calgary-Bow) thanked Alberta Transportation and Dreeshen for working to ensure this project was completed on time and on budget. “And in that regard, I want to thank and acknowledge the incredible residents of Valley Ridge, Crestmont, and beyond and other areas of Calgary-Bow for their patience,” said Nicolaides. “Because I know a lot of times during construction of the ring road and the various interchanges and bridges, they’ve had to deal with delays, construction, and other issues during this whole construction process.” Nicolaides said it will be beneficial for Calgary-Bow constituents. Over the course of the construction process, he admitted the Alberta government had to pay attention to issues affecting residents. Calgary Coun. Sonya Sharp said she was thrilled it was opened. “This is big, and it’s going to change the way we get around,” said Sharp. “This process signifies progress and connectivity for our northwest and southwest communities.” Sharp said this is one of the largest public infrastructure projects in Alberta. It is going to bring people closer together. Dreeshen followed up by saying as transportation and economic corridors minister, he looks at Highway 2 and the ring roads around Calgary and Edmonton as huge economic corridors. “You have trucks transporting all different kinds of goods up and down and across the province,” he said. “To have this construction completed is huge, because it will open the Deerfoot and other roads.” He predicted it will allow for an easier flow of goods and services. More importantly, he said it will help people “get home to their loved ones to do things that they love versus staring at taillights on the highway.” The grand opening of the stretch of the Calgary Ring Road through Tsuut’ina land was interrupted by an indigenous man cutting off his braids and throwing them onto the ground in disgust in 2020. READ MORE: Opponent cuts off braids to protest Tsuut’ina section of Calgary ring roadTsuut’ina resident Seth Cardinal Dodginghorse took the podium and went on a emotional explanation on how his mother was left homeless by the new road and accused the Tsuut’ina's leadership of mishandling the situation.“I’m going to speak, and you’re going to listen,” said Dodginghorse.
Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors Minister Devin Dreeshen confirmed drivers can now go on the West Bow Ring Road. “The bridge that’s right behind me is officially open as of today,” said Dreeshen at a Thursday press conference. “It’s one lane of traffic.” Since paving is ongoing, Dreeshen said the remaining lanes will open up in the following days. He added 80,000 vehicles go across the Bow River every day, and twinning the bridge over it is a huge announcement. By early next year, he said the Calgary Ring Road will be done. The Calgary Ring Road will be 101 kilometres of paved area surrounding the city. About four kilometres of Stoney Trail from the Trans Canada Highway south of it to Bow Trail opened on October 1, and it included traffic from the system interchanges in the areas and the new interchanges at Valley Ridge Boulevard, Old Banff Coach Road, and Bow Trail. For the first time, these communities will have connections to the northwestern part of Stoney Trail and the Trans Canada Highway. He called this “an exciting day for Calgarians.” Now that the West Bow Ring Road is completed, he said it will save people 20 minutes of commuting time. Alberta United Conservative Party MLA Demetrios Nicolaides (Calgary-Bow) thanked Alberta Transportation and Dreeshen for working to ensure this project was completed on time and on budget. “And in that regard, I want to thank and acknowledge the incredible residents of Valley Ridge, Crestmont, and beyond and other areas of Calgary-Bow for their patience,” said Nicolaides. “Because I know a lot of times during construction of the ring road and the various interchanges and bridges, they’ve had to deal with delays, construction, and other issues during this whole construction process.” Nicolaides said it will be beneficial for Calgary-Bow constituents. Over the course of the construction process, he admitted the Alberta government had to pay attention to issues affecting residents. Calgary Coun. Sonya Sharp said she was thrilled it was opened. “This is big, and it’s going to change the way we get around,” said Sharp. “This process signifies progress and connectivity for our northwest and southwest communities.” Sharp said this is one of the largest public infrastructure projects in Alberta. It is going to bring people closer together. Dreeshen followed up by saying as transportation and economic corridors minister, he looks at Highway 2 and the ring roads around Calgary and Edmonton as huge economic corridors. “You have trucks transporting all different kinds of goods up and down and across the province,” he said. “To have this construction completed is huge, because it will open the Deerfoot and other roads.” He predicted it will allow for an easier flow of goods and services. More importantly, he said it will help people “get home to their loved ones to do things that they love versus staring at taillights on the highway.” The grand opening of the stretch of the Calgary Ring Road through Tsuut’ina land was interrupted by an indigenous man cutting off his braids and throwing them onto the ground in disgust in 2020. READ MORE: Opponent cuts off braids to protest Tsuut’ina section of Calgary ring roadTsuut’ina resident Seth Cardinal Dodginghorse took the podium and went on a emotional explanation on how his mother was left homeless by the new road and accused the Tsuut’ina's leadership of mishandling the situation.“I’m going to speak, and you’re going to listen,” said Dodginghorse.
