Alberta narrows choices for Deerfoot Trail improvement project
By Rob Blackstien
P3s RoadsAlberta Transportation has shortlisted three groups to submit proposals to complete improvements on Deerfoot Trail using a public-private partnership (P3) delivery model.
PHOTO: Adobe Stock/Siegfried Schnepf
After issuing a P3 RFQ in May, Alberta has narrowed the candidates for the Deerfoot Trail improvement project down to three groups.
The shortlisted groups include:
- Calgary Safelink Partners (Vinci Highways SAS; Graham Capital Partners; Carmacks Enterprises Ltd.; Graham Infrastructure LP; Vinci Infrastructure Canada Limited; and Parsons Inc.);
- Deerfoot Trail Partners (Aecon Concessions; Aecon Infrastructure Management Inc.; Meridiam Infrastructure North America Fund III; Stantec Consulting Ltd.; Wood Environment & Infrastructure; CH2M-Hill Canada Ltd. (Jacobs); and COWI North America Ltd.); and
- Deerfoot Trail Infrastructure Partners (EllisDon), which includes EllisDon Capital Inc.; EllisDon Construction Services; Lafarge Canada; and Aecom Canada Ltd.
This project is part of Alberta’s Recovery Plan and will not only create jobs for Calgary but will make the highway safer and more efficient.
“Calgarians know what traffic on the Deerfoot is like. That’s why we’re taking action to ease traffic and make life better for Calgarians with significant improvements to Deerfoot Trail,” says Rajan Sawhney, Minister of Transportation.
She says that the provincial recovery plan will include investments of over $20.3 billion to improve and build infrastructure for Alberta. The plan is expected to create 90,000 jobs.
All told, four teams responded to the RFQ and the shortlisted groups have until July 2022 to submit proposals and financial bids, with construction expected to begin next fall. The project completion is targeted for the fall of 2026.
Improvements within the project will include:
- Twinning Ivor Strong Bridge;
- Improving Anderson Road/Bow Bottom Trail Interchange;
- Twinning the bridge over Glenmore Traill
- Reconfiguring the 17 Avenue SE and Memorial Drive Interchanges and eliminating weaving traffic; and
- Widening between 17 Avenue SE and Airport Trail to four lanes in each direction.
Quick Facts
- Alberta’s P3 framework provides greater flexibility in building infrastructure, creating jobs and stimulating the economy while making the most of limited taxpayer dollars.
- Approximately 180,000 vehicles use the Deerfoot Trail daily.
