Frequently Asked Questions
General InformationQ: Where is the West LRT line going?
The West LRT alignment extends eight kilometres west from the current west end of the 7 Avenue downtown to 69 Street S.W. and includes six stations. The route crosses 11th Street and follows Bow Trail to 33rd Street where it bends to the south and then travels west along 17th Avenue to 69th Street S.W. Download a map (PDF - 0.8 MB) of the West LRT Alignment, or see it in action at the Route Animation. Traffic information during construction is also available on the Construction and Traffic Map. Q: What do the stations look like?
To see the six LRT station designs, please click on their respective web pages below: Opening Day for all six stations is scehduled for spring 2013. When the West LRT project is complete, The City will have doubled its LRT network in a decade. Q: How did The City choose the alignment?
The West LRT alignment is centrally located within the service area. It provides the most convenient and shortest access to the greatest number of residents, employees and students in the area. For those people who do not live within walking distance of the six stations, this alignment will allow the shortest possible feeder bus trips for travel to and from the LRT stations. To see a presentation on how the alignment was chosen, please click West LRT Alignment, Budget and Project Delivery (PDF - 4.5 MB). The alignment sets the ground work for bringing important Transit Oriented Development opportunities to the Sunalta and Westbrook LRT Stations, which is a big step towards making Calgary a more sustainable city. Q: There are two Park and Ride lots for six stations. How can I get to the LRT station if there is no parking?
Calgary Transit is changing its bus routes within the West LRT service area. On opening day, shorter routes and more frequent buses will carry passengers from their homes to the closest LRT station. To find out more about the future feeder bus routes, click on Calgary Transit Bus Route Changes. Q: What has been done to help prevent crime at the LRT station?
Fortunately, it is possible to greatly minimize the potential for crime in LRT stations by taking certain measures during design and planning. This method is known as CPTED ("sept-ed"), or Crime Prevention through Environmental Design. You can read about the CPTED principles built into the West LRT stations by clicking on and downloading the following PDF (0.85 MB): Calgary Transit- Crime Prevention through Environmental Design and the West LRT.
ConstructionQ: Can The City implement lane reversals for the Bow Trail and 17th Avenue S.W. corridors to alleviate traffic during rush hour?
Lane reversals to alleviate heavy traffic during peak periods are appropriate only in certain circumstances. They are not necessary at 17 Avenue S.W. because the same number of through lanes are open during construction as before construction began and the daily traffic flow in this area is acceptable. As for Bow Trail, which is reduced to two lanes, a lane reversal is not feasible for a couple of reasons: - Given the construction zone and distance required for vehicles to shift over to the left hand lane on eastbound Bow Trail, the lane reversal will need to be implemented at 24 Street S.W. There is not a break in the median east of 26 Street where The City can accommodate this shift.
- The transition of traffic back onto westbound Bow Trail, west of 33rd Street S.W., is not safe due to the sharp radius of eastbound Bow Trail Bow Trail from 37 Street S.W.
Furthermore, the resources and budget to implement such large scale lane reversals on a daily basis are not available. Traffic delays due to construction are inevitable so it is important to schedule the extra time spent in traffic into your travel plans. Here are some suggestions on how to minimize the impact during your commute:
Q: When is The City scheduled to begin and complete construction on the west LRT line?
Construction began in February 2010 with opening day scheduled for spring 2013. The City is using a design-build method for construction. This construction method means the entire LRT alignment and stations will be under construction for three full years. If you are interested in receiving regular updates on the West LRT and its progress, sign up for the e-newsletter. All six LRT stations and two Park and Ride lots are scheduled to open in spring 2013. Q: How will the Design-Builder stage the construction over the next three years?
Beginning in February 2010 and for the next three years, West LRT construction will be underway. Due to the large scale of this project, work will be ongoing at various locations at the same time between downtown and 69 Street S.W. along the Bow Trail and 17 Avenue S.W. corridors. Here are some areas that will be under construction during the same time: Bow Trail and Crowchild Trail Interchange (LRT guideway work) Bow Trail and 33 Street S.W. (LRT tunnel work) 17 Avenue and 37 Street S.W. area (LRT tunnel work) 17 Avenue at 42 Street and 45 Street S.W. (bridge and trench work) 17 Avenue S.W. and Sarcee Trail intersection (interchange work) 17 Avenue and 69 Street S.W. intersection (station and underground LRT work)
Construction is not isolated to these areas. LRT Station construction, track work, utility work and general construction will also be ongoing along the entire alignment until opening day. For updates on Calgary Transit bus route detours and bus stop relocations during West LRT construction, please visit www.calgarytransit.com. Q: What kind of work did The City do to prepare for the design-build construction?
Since Council approved the West LRT project in November 2007, The City has worked to begin construction in early 2010. Between 2006 and 2009 the primary focus was an extensive Public Engagement Process and preparing the design-build Request for Proposal. The public engagement process, which consisted of 115 meetings, influenced a number of design changes to the West LRT (PDF - 0.2 MB) including the alignment and station design. The Request For Proposal was also a success with the City awarding the design-build contract to the successful proponent on time in October 2009. There were also a number of construction projects underway in 2009 to prepare for construction and make room for the West LRT alignment: You can keep track of the West LRT construction progress in the Monthly Status Reports found on the What's New web page. Q: Did The City conduct a noise study to see if there will be increases to traffic noise?
Yes, The City conducted a noise study based on the Surface Transportation Noise Policy (PDF - 0.25 MB). An acoustical engineering firm conducted tests and noise models in 2008 along the future alignment. The testing accounted for future LRT and motor vehicle noise based on traffic counts for the next twenty years. The project team met with residents who qualify for noise attenuation about noise barrier material, locations and heights.
Traffic and ParkingQ: Will there be traffic disruptions during construction?
Yes, however, the design-build Request for Proposal directs the design-build team to ensure there is as little disruption to traffic as possible. Items which the design-build team must adhere to include providing access to businesses and residential areas at all times, the number and location of lane closures at any given time, and construction traffic must stay on non-residential roads. The City is working with the design-build team on the Traffic Management Plan, which will be complete prior to construction beginning. There will be traffic delays so it is important to schedule the extra time spent in traffic into your travel plans. Here are some suggestions on how to minimize the impact during your commute: - Alternate your travel routes
- Take public transit, car pool, ride your bike or walk; for assistance in finding a carpool, please visit www.carpool.ca. For updates on Calgary Transit bus route detours and bus stop relocations during West LRT construction, please visit www.calgarytransit.com.
- Leave earlier/later for work/home to avoid rush hour traffic
Q: There is an LRT station in my community. How will The City prevent people who live outside my community from parking in my community to catch the CTrain?
The City is currently working with Community Associations within a 600m radius of each LRT station to implement a Residential Parking Zone (RPZ). For more information on the RPZ process please contact your Community Association.
HistoryQ: Why is a West LRT line required?
The City of Calgary develops the LRT network in response to the needs of a growing city. The West LRT is designed to serve communities in Southwest Calgary that are generally located west of the Centre City, between the Bow River and the Glenmore Reservoir. This area is expected to grow from its current population of more than 105,000 to approximately 120,000 in the next 20 years. As well, employment in this area is expected to increase from 18,000 currently to 23,000 in the next 20 years. Q: What is the history of the West LRT?
The West LRT Line was first approved by Council in 1988 based on the study "West LRT Update Functional Study - Volume 3". In 2006, the Transportation Department conducted a review of the alignment to reflect current conditions and update costs. In November 2007, City Council approved funding to allow the West LRT project to proceed. To see the presentation given to Council in November 2007, please click West LRT Alignment, Budget and Project Delivery (PDF - 4.5 MB). Here are some earlier West LRT documents:
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