Airdrie bypass could ease chronic QEII congestion, drivers say
Posted Sep 16, 2026 4:09 pm.
A possible highway bypass east of Airdrie is gaining attention from motorists who say rush‑hour traffic north of Calgary has become so difficult that it shapes their daily routines.
The province is studying a new corridor running from the northeast corner of Stoney Trail up to the town of Carstairs, about 30 kilometres north of Airdrie.
A government‑commissioned report says that stretch of highway is expected to reach capacity within the next two to three decades, prompting early planning for an alternate route.
Many drivers say the relief can’t come soon enough. Michael Brown tells CityNews he avoids the QEII entirely during peak hours.
“I don’t go on the 2 until it’s after 10 a.m., and I get on it to come home before 4,” he said. “Going back and forth in and out of the city, it’s crazy.”
Consulting project manager Alana Getty Somers says simply widening Highway 2 won’t solve long‑term demand.
“If we built out Highway 2 and added more capacity or more travel lanes, that doesn’t solve all the problems for the forecasted growth,” she says.
Brown believes the current infrastructure is already behind the pace of population growth.
“We didn’t have this many people, but now we’ve got so many… Airdrie and Cochrane and the south the same, they’re coming in from Okotoks, they’re all coming into the city to work and they’re all working at the same time,” he said.
Daily commuter Miranda Payne says avoiding rush hour isn’t an option for her family.
“Especially when you’re on a time schedule,” she said. “You have to get home to take the kids to sports and stuff, and you never know if you’re going to be late when you’re coming up Deerfoot.”
A public open house was held this week to gather feedback from drivers. Getty Somers says anyone with suggestions or concerns can find more information on Alberta.ca.
