Deerfoot trail extension : a partnering success.

Deerfoot Trail is a major north/south freeway through the City of Calgary, which currently terminates at the south end at Highway 22X. Alberta Transportation and the City of Calgary agreed to extend Deerfoot Trail to provide a more direct connection to Highway 2 and points south, at an estimated cost of $120 million. The City agreed to manage approximately the north half of the project, which fell within the City limits. The remainder, from the Bow River south, fell within A.T.'s jurisdiction, and is the subject of this paper. This project includes the following elements: Deerfoot Trail designed to ultimate 6-lane divided freeway standards; New bridges across the Bow River at an environmentally sensitive location (one of the six best trout fishing rivers in North America); New interchange at Dunbow Road; New flyover "Fork" connection to existing Highway 2; Modifications to existing Highway 2/2A Interchange, including 2-lane loop ramp; Relocation of Pine Creek with new Structural Plate Corrugated Steel Pipe (SPCSP) crossing under Deerfoot embankment; 4 m x 7 m x 75 m Wildlife underpass and wildlife fencing from Bow River to south of Dunbow Road; Completion of right-of-way acquisition; All environmental work including permitting, mitigation, and monitoring; Comprehensive public participation program. Due to its unique nature, Alberta Transportation decided to award the project to one consultant team to undertake the entire project, including engineering, environmental, and public participation. As a result, the "Deerfoot Team" was assembled, consisting of personnel from UMA Engineering Ltd., AMEC Infrastructure Ltd., Associated Engineering Ltd., and AMEC Earth and Environmental Ltd. (former Agra Earth & Environmental Ltd.), and led by UMA. The Deerfoot Trail Extension project has been very successful for all involved to date. We strongly believe that the spirit of co-operation and trust developed through the partnering process has been instrumental in this success. This co-operation and trust has enabled the Deerfoot Team to collaborate and to secure two new major projects from Alberta Transportation, with hopes for many more in the future.