Ring road will take just a little longer
Re: “Budget: Ring road won’t be complete for another decade,” March 27.
There have been questions about the timing of the ring road’s completion, and a misunderstanding that there is a decade- long delay. I’d like to set the record straight. The ring road is delayed by three years, not a decade.
Calgary’s ring road is 70 per cent complete, with the west and southwest legs remaining. This government remains committed to completing both portions. The southwest leg, a crucial link between Highway 22X and Highway 8, will progress on the timeline that was agreed to with the Tsuu T’ina Nation. You will be driving on it in five to six years.
As part of the 2015- 2020 capital planning process, difficult decisions needed to be made to ensure Albertans’ needs are met in all corners of the province.
One decision was amending the construction timeline of the west portion. Under the new timeline, construction will begin in 2020- 21 — three years after the originally projected date of 2017.
We appreciate that traffic delays frustrate Calgary drivers, commuters and commercial truckers. We can offer you some solace that this short- term pain will result in long- term gain. When finished, the Calgary ring road will offer 100 kilometres of free- flow travel. Delaying the west leg three years will save Albertans approximately $ 1.5 billion.
Work on the southwest portion will begin in 2015- 16, as scheduled. We will complete the land transfer agreement with the Tsuu T’ina Nation, expected to be finalized this summer, and will trigger a clause that requires the southwest portion of the ring road to be completed within seven years.
The current economic reality has been challenging and I’m confident Albertans understand how their government is balancing fiscal restraint with the need to keep up with our growing transportation network. Wayne Drysdale, Edmonton Wayne Drysdale is minister of transportation.
We appreciate that traffic delays frustrate Calgary drivers, commuters and commercial truckers. We can offer you some solace that this short- term pain will result in long- term gain. Transportation Minister Wayne Drysdale