Deerfoot Trail / Glenmore Trail Interchange
 

The Province of Alberta is planning on upgrading the Deerfoot Trail/Glenmore Trail interchange, the busiest interchange in the City of Calgary. Current major deficiencies include 3 core lanes being reduced to 2 core lanes on Deerfoot Trail and no direct ramp from NB Deerfoot Trail to WB Glenmore Trail (current access is via Heritage Meadows Rd and Heritage Dr that includes 2 signalized intersections), see http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/glengp.htm. THe City of Cagary website also now has a link to the project.

The project includes

• new vehicle bridge adjacent to existing (east side) over Glenmore Trail
• realignment and geometric improvements of loops and ramps
• addition of one core lane in both directions on Deerfoot Trail over Glenmore Trail
• addition of extra lanes and shoulder widening on Deerfoot Trail north and south of Glenmore Trail
• addition of collector-distributor lanes on southbound Deerfoot Trail and eastbound Glenmore Trail

A map of the project is http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/Content/docType490/production/glen-m5.pdf

This project is part of Stage 1 of the 2006 Deerfoot Trail/Glenmore Trail Interchange Functional Planning Study. The Ultimate Stage includes 2 flyovers and C/D lanes on Glenmore Trail between Deerfoot Trail and Blackfoot Trail.

While Stage 1 addresses the lane deficiencies on Deerfoot Trail, it does not address the NB --> WB access. If the interchange is the busiest in Calgary and connects the city's major N-S and E-S corridors, it should be full access and free flowing. While the interchange being constructed as the Ultimate Stage would be ideal, due to funding restraints it may not be realistic. As a compromise, I think at the very least the NB --> WB flyover should be constructed as part of the initial stage. The interchange would then be similar to the recently completed McKnight Blvd/Metis Trail/36 St NE interchange, http://www.calgary.ca/docgallery/bu/tran...e/mcknight_36street_interchange_plan.pdf.

It appears Stage 1 is still being studied, I wonder if there is any chance it may be modified to add the flyover. Any thoughts?

:previous: I agree with you. If it's the two busiest roads in Calgary it needs to be free flow - do it right from the beginning.
I'm wondering how they are going to get additional core lanes on Glenmore under the existing Deerfoot bridge with the present pier locations. :shrug:

There's plenty of room under there. They can fit at least 6 lanes in the middle section. They can remove the sloped concrete embankments and put in a retaining wall for more room for the C-D lanes if necessary. Could likely squeeze at least 12 lanes total under that bridge.

I was through there again today and my concern is the center opening - there is only room for 4 lanes (2 each direction) and a Jersey barrier. If they want to reuse the existing bridge then the Glenmore lanes (going same direction) will be separated by a pier.
(that post make any sense ?)

***INFO***
There is an open house tonight at the Glenmore Inn on the Deerfoot / Glenmore interchange.

Hopfully we can find out about the # of Glenmore lanes going under Deerfoot.
(Remember at 14 Street SW they only left 2 EB lanes on Glenmore under that bridge :koko: :hell:)

I forgot about this thread! I drove by there since my last post, and you are absolutely right. There is only room for 4 lanes between the pillars. They could probably fit another 3 or 4 on either side to bring the total to 10-12 lanes, but then at least one of the straight through lanes would have to split off from the other two. >>>HERE<<< is the ultimate stage plan, and it only shows two lanes in each direction as well as two collector/diverter lanes in either direction for a total of 8. It doesn't look like they plan on rebuilding the existing bridge at all. That sucks. Lets hope they are smart enough to leave room for 6 lanes under the new one, but somehow I doubt it, and I'm not sure if that would even be possible without rebuilding the existing bridge.

I wish I would have known about that open house earlier. I probably would have dropped in, but seeing as it's over at 8, I probably won't have time. :(

The new bridge will accommodate 6 core lanes for Glenmore undernieth but as you say this is irrelevant unless they replace the existing bridge. Talking to the Alberta Transportation reps at the open house they said the existing structure still has about 50years worth of life and it is the City's responsibility to relace it as it suits the needs for Deerfoot which is all the Province is responsible for. So don't hold your breath for anything soon.:(

This interchange upgrade seems to be slower than anything else. They still haven't announced what officially is happening in the first stage and when.(supposed to start this spring)

It won't Help South bound Traffic!
 

I'm glad this expansion is going to happen, It's long over due!
But It won't Help South bound Traffic Unless they widen Deerfoot to 3 lanes over Bow bottom Trail S.E.
Traffic will still backup past the Calf Robe Bridge due to congestion from 3 lanes squeezing down to 2 lanes!
I see no mention of surveys or construction plans on any of the provincial or city sites. :brickwall:

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k154/pjcharlier/stuff/deerfoot.gif

I hate to tell you this, but every time you upgrade an interchange, the problem will always move to the next worst point. If they fix Anderson, then Deerfoot still sucks because of the terrible weave between Memorial and 17th Avenue. Then it moves up North even more if they fix that. 37th and Glenmore being fixed now moves the problem to Highway 8, but that's still better than just leaving it and doing it all at once.

Upgrading Glenmore will make a noticeable difference, guaranteed. The Anderson/Bow Bottom/Deerfoot interchange is an even bigger challenge to upgrade, but the volumes definitely dictate that Glenmore is in more need of upgrades at this pont.

I dont understand why they have included such a wide fly over for NB Deerfoot to WB Glenmore and EB Glenmore to NB Deerfoot. Would it not be more cost effective and better for drivers to have a more direct flyover with a gentler curve?

Any traffic engineers out there who can weigh in on this?

A more direct flyover means they cross each other in the middle of the interchange, which costs a ton more money to do. By sweeping around, you have only a couple short bridge structures instead one very long structure.

How does sweeping around result in only a few short bridge structures? It looks to me like its one very long bridge. You can align the more direct bridges in such a way as to cross at relatively low points, meaning all that would happen is one or two additional support columns.

In this case it is long sweeping bridges in the ultimate plan, likely for a couple reasons. First is design speed, second is to provide adequate separation between the ramps on blackfoot and deerfoot, and third probably relates to where they would need to position the piers for the bridges. Mazrim is right that it would be more costly to do a more direct offramp, but you're going to end up with a triple layer stacked interchange and its usually more cost efficient to double the length of a bridge rather then double its height.

Heh, I just looked at the ultimate stage plan on Alberta Transportation's website and those are some ridiculous bridges. The key is that there is no triple stacking, which saves money...but they made the ramp bridges so insanely long that it doesn't make sense. There are a few places where you can use earth fill and retaining walls instead of a continuous bridge, and I think that's what you'll end up seeing in the future. On both Stoney Trail and Anthony Henday Drive, long ramp bridges like that have ALWAYS been reduced into pieces and using more earth fill.

Funny to see this thread was started 2 years ago and still nothing's happened. I drive Glenmore / Deerfoot every day and I literally want to round up everyone responsible and shoot them!!:hell: How the HELL can they not make it a proper cloverleaf?! NB Deerfoot - WB Glenmore is a joke! A fucking joke! Who is the genius that designed this mess? Glenmore embarrasses me as a Calgarian for anyone driving from outside the city. Especially in the SW where it becomes a 2 lane country road. As much as the SELRT is a massive priority to me, they need to fix this mess soon because it is in no way adequate for the population that uses it.

A proper cloverleaf would, in many ways, be a great deal worse than the current interchange. There is a reason nobody builds them anymore.

Please do tell... Clearly the current interchange cannot handle NB - WB traffic.

http://www.calgary.ca/portal/server.pt/g...n+Projects/Interchanges/Interchanges.htm

Also, your transformation is almost complete O-tacular. First the move to the suburbs, next a verbose rant about inadequate road/interchange infrastructure. You just need to verbally oppose anything new being built near your residence, yell at some kids to get off your lawn and brag about the nearby school site (that won't be built upon until your kids are too old to attend it).

[QUOTE]Ahaha!:haha: So true Frinkprof. I feel so strange being on this end of the spectrum. Next is a minivan, 1.5 kids and a golden retriever. But I still hold no illusions for a school being built in time for my future kids to attend. As for opposing development near my future home, I say bring it!!! The sooner they can build the SELRT and develop Seton the better!!! Density all the way!!! Give me some credit, It's not like I'm living in a single family home or driving an SUV.

As for the rant about traffic and interchanges, if you had to drive the route I do every day and see the sheer stupidity and inadequacy of the current road network you'd rant too!!! Although I must take back my comment about wanting them to fix Glenmore before the SELRT. I want both to be built as soon as possible. The more we can do to lessen idling cars and general traffic congestion, the less CO2 we emit. And let me point out that my moving to the far SE does not conflict with my urban and environmental beliefs. I am reducing my trip to work from an hour, to 10 mins. Also, the area I am moving to will be a future TOD with high density and an abundant mix of retail, office, and residential.

/End overlong defence of my suburban transformation.;)