Calgary – The City of Calgary and The Calgary Airport Authority have reached an agreement to pursue funding for the 96 Avenue tunnel and road network connecting Airport Trail to Métis Trail.

The agreement sees the two parties contribute $90 million towards the tunnel’s $287 million cost as part of a multi-partner funding proposal with the provincial and federal governments. Mayor Dave Bronconnier will lead efforts to secure $98.6 million each from the provincial and federal governments by March 1, 2010.

The City will design and build the tunnel and take over ongoing maintenance once the project is constructed. 

“This agreement confirms The City’s commitment to enhance the northeast road network for Calgarians,” said Mayor Bronconnier.

“The extension of Airport Trail was part of our Plan It Calgary discussions and part of our long range plan. City Council has already committed our share of funding for this tunnel that will support traffic movement before the airport builds a vital new runway.”

Garth Atkinson, president and CEO of The Calgary Airport Authority, said the Authority is pleased to support The City of Calgary as it moves forward in its discussions with the federal and provincial governments regarding funding for the Airport Trail extension.

“We are on track with the parallel runway project and timing is now critical if the Airport Trail extension is to be constructed at the same time as the runway,” said Atkinson. “Called by some the most important 14,000 feet in Alberta, this new runway at YYC will keep Calgary connected to the world and along with other airport expansion plans, ensure that we have the capacity to support economic growth in Alberta.”

The tunnel is intended to extend the existing portion of 96 Avenue eastward to 36 Street NE. It is the first phase of the long-term project that includes construction of a new 14,000-foot north-south runway and closure of Barlow Trail between 48 Avenue and Airport Road NE.

The new runway, which will be in service by 2014, is one component of a $1.8 billion expansion of airport facilities planned over the next six years. The schedule for the runway project includes the closure, in April 2011, of a portion of Barlow Trail between 48 Avenue and Airport Road NE. The imminent closure of this section of road has initiated the call from The City of Calgary to both levels of government to define its ability to provide financial support for the Airport Trail extension.

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