We’re celebrating more than the kickoff of Stampede today. This afternoon, in partnership with the federal, provincial, and municipal governments, we made an exciting announcement that getting to and from YYC Calgary International Airport will get a bit easier for guests in the coming years. YYC had the pleasure of hosting The Right Honourable Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, His Worship Naheed Nenshi; The Honourable Brian Mason, Minister of Transportation and the Government House Leader; and The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities for the funding announcement for the Airport Trail phase two interchanges.

The project will ensure that Airport Trail between 36^th Street NE and 60^th Street NE is completed: creating the much needed second east-west transportation corridor in north Calgary. Following a successful and collaborative working relationship with the City of Calgary to complete the Airport Trail Tunnel Project in May 2014, we’re looking forward to working with our partners to further enhance access for Calgarians, visitors and over 24,000 employees on airport land to YYC.

“An expanded Airport Trail will connect major railways, interprovincial and highways into the United States, and the airport,” said Brian Mason, Minister of Transportation. “That means Alberta’s products will have even greater access to more markets, people who work in this area will get home faster to their families, and air travellers will have quicker and easier access to their flights.”

While Calgary is a city of just over 1.2 million people, YYC brings in millions of people each year – over 17 million forecasted in 2018 -  and these guests to our province access the primary route network as they make their way through Alberta. And to top it off, the goods  that are delivered to the doorsteps of Albertans each day are also reliant on easy access to and from YYC with 75 per cent of all of Alberta’s air cargo coming through the airport.

“The completion of Airport Trail is a critical piece of Calgary’s transportation network and fully realizes the value of the Airport Trail Tunnel – a new east-west connection between Stoney Trail and Deerfoot Trail in a city that needs more east-west connections,” said Naheed Nenshi, mayor, City of Calgary. “With this one project, we are making it easier for people and goods to get to Calgary International Airport and strengthening the transportation and logistics sector of our economy. It’s a project I’ve been passionate about since before I was elected in 2010, and it’s incredibly special to be joining with the other orders of government today to see it happen.”

“Enhancing access to the airport is great news for Calgarians and guests to our city, but also for the businesses and partners that are strategically located on airport property and contribute to the economic development of Calgary,” said Bob Sartor, President and CEO for The Calgary Airport Authority. “The approval of the Airport Trail interchanges will allow for the better movement of people and goods from YYC, furthering the development of airport lands and benefiting our greater community.”

As the conduit for primary goods into our province, this news means that YYC can continue to grow well into the future, bring on more partners, and enhance our airport campus with logistics and distribution companies, knowing that we have the connectivity to do so.

This project involves new infrastructure including:

• A new segment of Airport Trail between 36 Street NE and 60 Street NE, with an intersection at Métis Trail;

• Construction of the first stage of interchanges along Airport Trail at 19 Street NE and Barlow Trail; and

• A new southbound-to-westbound ramp will be constructed at the interchange of Stoney Trail and Airport Trail.

Read the press release here.