Calgary commuters should ‘plan ahead’ for Red Line, Macleod Trail closures: City

Calgary commuters are being encouraged to leave extra time to get where they need to go ahead of a nine-day closure of the Red Line and northbound Macleod Trail this week.

Between the evening of Nov. 24 and the early morning hours of Dec. 4, there will be no train service between Chinook and City Hall/Bow Valley College stations, according to the city.

There will also be periodic lane closures on northbound Macleod Trail around Victoria Park/Stampede Station.

The city says the closures are required to complete an important phase of construction in the Victoria Park/Stampede Station rebuild project — the switch from the temporary track and platform to the new permanent track and platform.

“This is a significant closure of our system,” said Doug Morgan, general manager of operational services with the city said in a statement. “It is very rare for us to have a planned track shut down on a weekday because we know how important CTrain service is to our customers.

We are working hard to provide alternatives, including the largest replacement shuttle service in our history, temporary park and ride locations, and parking alternatives. Travellers — whether on transit or driving — should know their options and plan extra time.”

After months of evaluating the best options for completing the essential construction, the Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC) decided that the nine-day closure was the best course of action.

Crews will work 24-hours a day to tie the new tracks to the rest of the line, string overhead power lines to connect the new station to the network, install new track signals at pedestrian crossings, build pedestrian access to the new station, and start demolition of the temporary platorms, according to the city.

Travel alternatives

Replacement shuttle buses are scheduled every five minutes from several locations, according to the city.

The shuttle service will run from Chinook to City Hall/Bow Valley College stations with stops at each of the closed stations along the way.

The Red Line Anderson Express will provide direct service between Anderson Station and downtown replacement shuttle stops along 9 Avenue, with no stops along the way. This will run 6 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on weekdays only.

The Red Line Heritage Express will also provide direct service between Heritage Station and downtown replacement shuttle stops along 9 Avenue, with no stops along the way. This will run 6 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on weekdays only.

Calgary Transit says additional shuttles will be in place during the Flames games and the Hitmen Teddy Bear Toss on Dec. 3.

The city is also providing around 1,000 free parking spots at Heritage Park on weekdays. From there, customers, can either catch MAX Yellow to downtown or MAX Teal to Westbrook Station with a transfer to the Blue Line to get downtown.

Macleod Trail closures

While there will be periodic lane closures on Macleod Trail during the nine days, the city says all three lanes will be opened from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. each weekday to help traffic flow.

Approximately 600 parking spots will be available at the Stampede Grounds for $7 per day, where drivers can walk or take a Red Line replacement shuttle to City Hall.

Those driving are enouraged to take alternative routes to get into downtown, including Glenmore to Crowchild to Bow Trail, entering downtown from the west or Deerfoot Trail to Memorial, entering downtown using the 4 Avenue flyover.

Commuters should keep in mind that any of these routes will be busier than usual and they should leave extra time to get where they need to be.

Service resuming at new station

Calgary Transit says when service resumes at Victoria Park/Stampede Station on the morning of Dec. 4, riders will board and exit the CTrain from the new station.

Additional station construction, hardscaping, landscaping, and integration to the 17 Ave SE extension will be completed through early 2024, and the project will near completion in alignment with the BMO Centre expansion for Stampede 2024.

Calgary Transit is offering 25 per cent on all monthly passes for December as a ‘thank you’ for riders’ patience during the closure.