Calgary’s airport tunnel opens

The City celebrated the completion of the 36m wide Airport Trail tunnel with a public opening event on May 24 to recognize the hard work, commitment and cooperation of many people who delivered this piece of vital infrastructure. Thousands of Calgarians attended the opening.

The Airport Trail tunnel was also one of three City of Calgary projects to receive 2013 Award of Excellence honours from the 2013 American Concrete Institute (Alberta Chapter).

Tunnel excavation involved the removal of more than 600,000 cubic metres of rock and earth material. Concrete work on the structure itself began with the installation of footings followed by forming and casting of the tunnel walls and roof. A total of 50 concrete sections were poured. Each tunnel section required 850 cubic metres of concrete which was delivered by about 80 trucks over a 12-hour period. The first concrete pour for the tunnel walls and roof took place on February 24, 2012, and the last pour was completed on October 30, 2012.