Calgary still plans to build airport access tunnel

10 March, 2010

The city still hopes to build an airport access tunnel, but admits it will take several years for the project to become a reality.

The city and Calgary Airport Authority have agreed to a plan to preserve land access points for the potential extension of 96 Ave N.E. through a tunnel under the new runway.

The existing road network adjacent to the airport will also see some upgrades.

The original plan was shelved because neither the province nor Ottawa were willing to contribute funding to the project.

The new 4th runway will be built next spring and the city had hoped to construct a tunnel under it at the same time.

The new runway is expected to cause traffic issues in the northeast because Barlow Tr. N.E. between 48th Ave. N.E. and Airport Road will be permanently closed on April 3, 2011.

The city believes that the completion of Stoney Trail and upgrades to Metis Trail will be able to accommodate more traffic and the Calgary Airport Authority has plans to make a new connection road between 36 St. N.E. and 48 Ave. N.E.

The new connection road will cost about $10.5 million and construction will start later this year.

Excavation and grading on the new runway and International Concourse will begin on January 2011.