Some construction work along Deerfoot Trail is now complete, but Calgarians can expect more work to continue on this busy roadway in the coming years.

At an event Friday, the province announced the Deerfoot Trail expansion, as well as the new connection of Beddington Trail and adjacent 11 Street NE, are now complete.

The province says the new connection will divert “considerable” traffic between McKnight Boulevard and the Beddington Trail and increase safety on the northbound Deerfoot Trail.

“The $700 million provincial investment in Deerfoot was good news for Calgarians because they can spend more time at home rather than being stuck in traffic,” Minister Devin Dreeshen said Friday. Transport and Economic Corridors.

The project, which began in spring 2023, included connecting 11th Street NE to the westbound Beddington Trail and northbound Deerfoot. It also added a fourth continuous lane to Deerfoot Trail in each direction from Airport Trail to Beddington Trail.

In total, the connector project cost $19 million. This project is the second segment of the Deerfoot Trail to be improved as part of a larger infrastructure project.

While construction is completed, the road and new lanes will open on Saturday.

“There are a lot of very significant improvements that will allow Calgarians to move more efficiently, and of course it’s not just about moving people, it’s also about moving goods,” said André Chabot, councilor for district 10.

Improvements began in 2022 with work on 64th Avenue, which was completed in 2023. Other projects will continue on Deerfoot Trail, including increasing ramp capacity, adding lanes, reconfiguring exits and intersections and twinning of a bridge.

Future improvements are expected to be completed by fall 2027. In total, the province has allocated $523.8 million for these improvements.

Other areas along the Deerfoot Trail currently undergoing improvements include:

• McKnight Boulevard: work began in 2023 and should be completed in fall 2025;
• Bow Bottom Trail/Anderson Road, Southland Drive and Glenmore Trail: Work began in 2023 and is expected to be completed in fall 2027;
• 16 Avenue NE: Work began in spring 2024 and should be completed in fall 2025; And
• Ivor Strong Bridge: twinning work should be completed in fall 2027.

The province says up to 180,000 vehicles travel on Deerfoot Trail daily.