Blackfoot Trail over 9 Avenue S.E. Bridge Rehabilitation
Project Update – June 2025
The east side repairs to both Blackfoot Trail and 9 Avenue S.E. are now complete, marking the halfway mark of construction on the project!
Traffic flow changes to facilitate bridge rehabilitation work are still in place on both Blackfoot Trail and 9 Avenue S.E.
Impacts to 9 Avenue S.E.
- As of mid-June, the south sidewalk along 9 Avenue S.E. under the bridge is closed for pedestrian traffic. Pedestrians will be rerouted to the north sidewalk at the intersections of 15 or 16 Street S.E. Both pathways will reopen for the Calgary Stampede. The closure will resume on July 14.
- Beginning June 18, a temporary, overnight lane closure will be in effect at the 9 Avenue S.E. underpass for approximately two weeks. Two-way traffic will be maintained by alternating the right of way under the bridge. Both lanes will be reinstated prior to the Calgary Stampede.
Impacts to Blackfoot Trail over 9 Avenue S.E.
- The westbound traffic lanes on Blackfoot Trail have now shifted into the median over 9 Avenue S.E. as of mid-June. This shift is expected to remain until August.
- Bidirectional traffic will be maintained during the day, however occasional single-lane closures may be required overnight. No closures will occur for the duration of the Calgary Stampede.
We appreciate your understanding and thank you for reducing your speed through the area while we undertake this important rehabilitation work.
Construction progress gallery
Progress of Blackfoot bridge June 2, 2025
Progress of Blackfoot bridge June 2, 2025
Progress of Blackfoot bridge June 2, 2025
About the project
The Blackfoot Trail over 9th Avenue S.E. bridge is a 4-lane structure with two southbound and two northbound lanes. This bridge has been identified for a major rehabilitation to address deterioration. This rehabilitation is expected to improve conditions for motorists and those walking and wheeling along 9 Avenue S.E.
To facilitate the inspection of the upper south retaining wall, the “Corridors” artwork was removed in the fall of 2023.
Benefits
The project benefits include:
- Improving the condition of the bridge and extending its service life by approximately 30 years
- Improve the overall safety and accessibility of the connection along 9 Avenue S.E. under Blackfoot Trail for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists, including the addition of streetlights to the Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) railway bridge.
- Replacing the expansion joint to help prevent further deterioration
- General concrete repairs to help prevent future deterioration of the bridge.
- Improving a critical link in the transportation network to accommodate opportunities for Calgary's continued growth in the coming years
Project scope
Rehabilitation work will include:
- Sidewalk replacement and repairs under the bridge to improve the pedestrian experience
- Replacement of the CPKC railway bridge underpass lighting, improving safety for those walking and wheeling under the bridge
- Replacing existing concrete with a stronger, more resistant asphalt
- Replacement of concrete traffic barriers
- Bridge deck and retaining wall repairs
The City will actively monitor the impact(s) on traffic due to construction activities and make every effort to minimize disruptions to commuters by:
- Coordinating work with adjacent projects when possible
- Reviewing and changing traffic signal timing, as appropriate
- Scheduling traffic and pedestrian detours and closures during off-peak hours and on weekends, when possible
The City will maintain pedestrian and wheeling traffic through the area and clearly mark any closures or detours that may be required to facilitate construction.
Water main replacement
The City of Calgary takes a proactive approach to protecting and replacing aging assets; as part of the water main replacement program, we will be performing some work on 15 Street at 19 Avenue S.E. to replace the water main. The project will see new pipes and the installation of several redundancy features which will make maintenance work more efficient while helping to better support the ongoing water needs for this part of Calgary. Early works for the water main replacement include various infrastructure maintenance, hydrovacing activities with possible test water shut offs and geotechnical drilling. Interested parties will be notified of any work happening in their area in advance of work beginning.
Project timeline
- Construction start: April 2025
- Substantial completion: Fall 2025
Construction activities are dependent on several factors. Timelines may change due to inclement weather, complexity, supply chain, and/or other unexpected circumstances.
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Contact Us
Have questions or want to learn more about this project? Contact the project team at: blackfoottrailbridge@calgary.ca
Investment
The budget for this project is $6.3 million.
Related information
Frequently asked questions
Why is the Blackfoot Trail over 9 Avenue S.E. Bridge in need of repair?
Ongoing regular maintenance along with timely major rehabilitations are critical to keeping bridges safe and reliable while minimizing future costs and extending the service life of this type of structure.
The project will improve a critical link in the transportation network and support Calgary's continued growth in the coming decades.
Are there any plans to replace the artwork that was removed in 2023?
The City will explore opportunities for future artwork projects upon completion of the bridge rehabilitation work. |
Will public transit be impacted by construction?
There will be minimal impacts to the scheduled bus service, including Calgarians departing from and arriving to the BRT terminal.