May 21, 2024: City of Calgary's new Planning GM resigns

After just six weeks on the job, the City's newly hired General Manager of Planning, Tim Keane, surprised City Hall by resigning.  Mr. Keane cited "personal reasons" for causing him to step down.

May 9, 2024: City Administrations "What we wanted to hear" report 

Blanket rezoning was the longest Public Hearing in Calgary's history with 736 people presenting their position to City Council over 12 days from April 22 to May 6, 2024, that also included 6,101 written submissions.  

On Thursday, May 9, 2024, Tim Keane, the City's new Chief Planner presented City Administration's "What we heard report" to City Council, in part summarizing results from public feedback over a 12 day period.  Incredibly, Mr. Keane's analysis only addressed the 736 presentation to City Council, EXCLUDING all 6,101 written submissions from members of the public.  Mr. Keane provided a breakdown of the 736 presentations showing:  227 in support (31%), 458 opposed (62%), with 51 neutral (7%) towards adoption of blanket rezoning.  These data indicate a 2:1 ratio of opposing blanket rezoning.  

After brief introductory comments, Mr. Keane then devoted less than 5 minutes of his 45 minute presentation to City Council on a factual summary of public feedback. This was followed by nearly 40 minutes of Mr. Keane's own opinions.  The purpose of Mr. Keane's presentation to Council was to present a factual summary of the results of public feedback from a 12 day public hearing, not to utilize the majority of his time to inject his own opinions and interpretations.  

A pdf file of all 13,434 pages of City Council's agenda for the April 22, 2024 Public Hearing, including those written submissions received by that date are available for download on the City's website.  In his May 12, 2024, letter to Mayor Gondek and City Council, Mr. Brian Donaldson provides a more thorough analysis of public feedback on blanket rezoning, that includes the 6,101 written submissions in addition to the 736 presentations made to City Council.  In strict contrast to the Mr. Keane's stated 2:1 ratio of opposition, results from Mr. Donaldson's analysis suggest a nearly 10:1 ratio of opposition to support when written submissions are included.  City Administration's selective "cherry-picking" of available public feedback supports the use of a biased approach in their comments to City Council via Mr. Keane's presentation. 

We note that Mr. Keane's May 9, 2024 presentation to City Council also omitted several key points relating to R-CG blanket rezoning that many of those in opposition spoke to during the Public Hearing, including:  

(1) increased allowable lot coverage to 60% for all lots rezoned to R-CG, 

(2) elimination of public hearings on land use redesignations and residents' right to object; nor

(3) any mention of the high degree of public concern regarding Council's vote NOT to hold a plebiscite on blanket rezoning.  

At best, one can only conclude that Mr. Keane's presentation was misleading and lopsided, and that it is best characterized as the City of Calgary's "What we wanted to hear" report on blanket rezoning.  His presentation was indeed a blow to the credibility of City Administration.

Blanket rezoning needs to be rejected entirely, until a plebiscite on blanket rezoning can be held as part of the 2025 election. 

Next steps are that Council will reconvene on Monday, May 13, 2024, to ask questions of Administration, propose amendments, debate, and finally to vote on whether the City of Calgary will adopt blanket rezoning.

May 6, 2024: Public Hearing on Blanket Re-zoning Ends 

At 12 days in length, the longest Public Hearing in Calgary's history spanning a 12-day period finally came to an end on May 6, 2024.  Over 730 people presented their views to City Council, each allotted a 5 minute period to make their statements.

On Thursday, May 9, City Planning will present their "What we heard report" to City Council that is to be a summary of public feedback received on this contentious issue.  Council will then reconvene on Monday, May 13, 2024, to ask questions, propose amendments, debate, and finally vote on whether Calgary will adopt blanket rezoning.

December 23, 2023:  Calgary's New Ring Road Opens

August 10, 2023:  Insights into Electricity Pricing

The VRCRG has posted an article written by one of its members with commentary on the recent rise in Alberta's electricity rates.   This article is presented for information purposes and provides additional links to related websites which may be of interest to Valley Ridge residents.  

The VRCRG is not endorsing any type of electricity contracting arrangements whether fixed-price contract or no contract and does not accept responsibility for any outcomes resulting from decisions readers may choose to make regarding their utility contract(s) as a result of information provided in this article.  

July 14, 2023:  Bow River Pathway Closure

Early July saw significant erosion from heavy rainfalls result in the closure of the Bow River Pathway. The following piece and images are taken from AT's  July 14, 2023 project update

July 4, 2023:  New Bow River Bridge Opens

This article from AT's West Ring Road Website provides details on the opening of the newly twinned Bow Ridge Bridge. The images below are taken from AT's news update. The new Bow River bridge opened to traffic on July 4, 2023.  Watch for signage in the weeks to come when northbound traffic will also be shifted to the new bridge to enable rehabilitation of the existing bridge.  Please obey all signage and posted speed limits.  Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors government website continues to state that the West Calgary Ring Road will be open to traffic in 2024.

December 15, 2022:  Speed Along Crestmont Blvd Reduced to 40 km/h

December 11, 2022:  A New Development Permit Application Submitted for Another Cannabis Store 

Residents were concerned about the store’s close proximity to nearby children’s playing fields and a future elementary school site at Valley Ridge Drive and Valley Meadow Close where many programs are run throughout the year by the VRCA and other groups.  The location of the cannabis store is within the City of Calgary's 100m separation distance to a school site as contained within the City's Cannabis Store Guidelines (see link on the City's "Cannabis Store - Business Licensing" webpage). 

As a result, the VRCA unsuccessfully appealed the City’s decision to approve the development permit (DP) to the Subdivision and Appeal Board.  Follow this link to read further details about the VRCA’s 2019 appeal.  With its decision, the SDAB approved a 68 metre relaxation of the City of Calgary's 100 metre separation distance due to the store's 32 metre distance to the school site.  With the City of Calgary’s approval in 2018, several permanent conditions were attached to the DP, the most consequential being that the permit for the new store was temporary, valid for a period of four years from the Sept. 6. 2018 date of approval.   Four years on, the store closed in September 2022.  

We recently became aware of a new development permit application (DP2022-07736) by an applicant named “Valley Ridge Cannabis”, on the City of Calgary’s planning and  development map online mapping application.  This is a useful tool that provides key information and ongoing status of all DP and land use re-designation applications within the City of Calgary. 

We are uncertain as to the City’s deadline date for accepting citizen / community  comments  regarding this application.  We have submitted a letter opposing DP2022-07736 pending the City’s response to several of our questions regarding this new application.

We are uncertain whether the VRCA is aware of the new application, nor whether they plan to undertake any action(s).  The VRCA website is devoid of any information.

We will continue to provide updates on our website as we learn more.

November 30, 2022:  Valley Ridge to Bowness Park Pathway Re-opens!

October 24, 2022:  Devin Dreeshen appointed Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors

Soon after being sworn in as Alberta’s 19th premier on October 11, 2022, Premier Smith’s new cabinet of 22 men and 5 women were sworn in on October 24, 2022.

Jason Kenney’s last Minister of Transportation, Prasad Panda, and the third in as many years, was cut from Premier Smith’s new cabinet.  The new Minister of the newly-named Transportation and Economic Corridors ministry is 35 year old, Devin Dreeshen.  Minister Dreeshen was Jason Kenny’s former Minister of Agriculture and Forestry and the MLA for Innisfail-Sylvan Lake.  Minister Dreeshen studied political science and economics at the University of Alberta and was a director for the lobbying group, Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association.  

August 23,2022: Two new, permanent ramps open

August 15, 2022:  AT Begins Operations to Disassemble & Re-locate the Valley Ridge Noise Wall

In their August 12, 2022, WCRR Project Update, AT announced:  “Beginning this week, the noise attenuation structure adjacent to Valley Meadow Close N.W. will be relocated closer to the roadway…Work is anticipated to take two to three months to complete.”  See image below.

Consistent with their announcement, on August 15, 2022,  we were pleased to observe contractors commence operations to disassemble the existing noise wall.  While the community’s request was for AT to relocate the noise wall directly along the edge of the nearby off-ramp, AT has never provided details as to the noise wall’s ultimate location. 

AT’s project update does not contain sufficient detail to confirm whether they plan to increase the relocated wall’s height to 2.5 metres per earlier statements made to the VRCRG and residents, both in person and in an email, by the former transportation minister, Rajan Sawhney.  

We want to thank residents for their involvement, support and determination in working with the VRCRG.  Without community collaboration it is certain that AT would never have conceded the need to move the “noise wall” closer to the roadbed. 

We will continue to update this website as we learn more.

August 7, 2022:  New Calgary Farmer's Market West in Greenbriar Opened on August 12, 2022

https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/calgary-farmers-market-opens-new-northwest-location-1.6015756 

July  29, 2022: Temporary Ramp Closure:  Valley Ridge Blvd to Westbound Trans-Canada Highway On-ramp

June 21, 2022:  Prasad Panda Sworn in as Alberta's new Minister of Transportation

Eleven months after her appointment, Rajan Sawhney, MLA for Calgary-North East, resigned as transportation minister on June 13, 2022 and announced her candidacy for the UCP's leadership election.

Previously infrastructure minister, Prasad Panda, MLA for Calgary-Edgemont, was sworn in as Alberta's new transportation minister on June 21, 2022.  Minister Prasad is a mechanical engineer and member of APEGA.

June 15, 2022:  Regional Pathway to Bowness Park Closed To Repair Flood Damage Until Further Notice

March 13, 2022:  VRCRG Responds to Minister Sawhney's March 3, 2022 Email

This link will open the VRCRG's March 13, 2022 letter in response to Minister Sawhney's disappointing March 3, 2022 email.

AT has clearly demonstrated their unwillingness to engage with Valley Ridge to discuss and try and resolved the issues identified, namely: noise, light and pollution mitigation for the community and impacted residents along Valley Meadow Close and Valley Brook Circle.  The learning, if we already didn’t know it, is that AT simply does not do Public Consultation, period.

Alberta Transportation appears to have a complete disregard for Calgary bylaws and regulations even though their impact is within the City and on Calgary residents.  To date, the only consideration from AT has been to build an ineffective noise wall that we are all too familiar with by now, which they have recently agreed to increase in height and move closer towards the road.   All other impacts and issues continue to be ignored by AT, including the replacement of a pre-existing berm that was removed to facilitate construction.

We have also written the City of Calgary’s General Manager for Transportation, Doug Morgan, seeking his department's assistance and support/advocacy to address these matters with AT.  Further, we've copied our letter to Her Worship, Mayor Jyoti Gondek and to our Ward 1 Counsellor, Sonya Sharp.  Counsellor Sharp has met and spoken with us several times including visiting the noise wall last fall.  We thank her for her continued involvement and support. Counsellor Sharp has advised she is pursuing a meeting with Minister Sawhney sometime soon towards seeking resolution to the Community's concerns.

Please continue monitoring our website for further information where we have posted all correspondence with AT.

March 3, 2022:  Minister Sawhney's Long Overdue but Disappointing Response to the VRCRG's Requests for an Update on the Noise Wall & Remaining Issues

After nearly two months, Minister Sawhney finally responded to our request for an update.  Her response is disappointing and frustrating to read.  While the Minister confirms the noise wall is to be relocated from its present, ineffective position, she states it will be closer to the roadway, not directly along the edge as stated to us earlier by our MLA Demetrios Nicolaides.  The Minister does say the height of the wall be increased to 2.5 metres, however has never provided details or a schematic so the community and residents can understand its alignment relative to the edge of the roadway and the existing perimeter fence.  The noise wall's final position along the slope north of the ramp's edge will determine the effectiveness of its increased height promised by Minister Sawhney. The Minister first promised the noise wall would be relocated over six months ago, early last fall so the community's frustrations are understandable as no action nor details have been provided thus far.

The Minister states the noise wall will not be extended nor a berm equivalent to the pre-existing, three metre high noise and visual berm that was removed by AT's general contractor, EllisDon, prior to commencement of ring road construction.  In her email, the Minister also turned down our requests to address residents' concerns regarding the impact of streetlight, headlight and vehicle exhaust pollution.

All in all, highly disappointing but "par for the course".  We are in the process of preparing a reply.

February 25, 2022:  VRCRG's 2nd request to AT for an update on the relocation of the VR noise wall and other, unresolved Issues

AT's refusal to communicate with Valley Ridge continues.  So, six weeks after our first email to AT on January 12, 2022 today we followed up with a letter to Minister Sawhney.  This is the link to our February 25 letter to Minister Sawhney.

We continue to be hopeful, that AT, as with municipal levels of government and Developers, will see fit to respond to our request for information as to the status of relocating the noise wall and resolution of outstanding, important concerns to Valley Ridge.

January 17, 2022:  Eastbound Trans-Canada Highway Ramp to Open later this week

Later this week, the new eastbound ramp from the south roundabout at Valley Ridge Boulevard N.W. / 109 Street S.W. to eastbound Trans-Canada Highway will open. Drivers coming south on Valley Ridge Boulevard N.W. will no longer need to travel through the 3-way stop at 109 Street S.W. and Crestmont Boulevard / 1 Avenue S.W to to access EB TCH or Stoney Trail northbound.  Access to Crestmont Blvd and businesses (Climbing Centre and Victory Village) along West Valley Road remains unchanged via the 3-way stop.   This new eastbound ramp heads under the new bridge, still under construction, located adjacent to the former location of the Wedding Pavilion.  Ultimately this new bridge will carry traffic from Valley Ridge / Crestmont and EB TCH traffic from the west to either northbound or south bound Stoney Trail.  This is a link to AT's ultimate design once complete.

January 12, 2022:  VRCRG emails AT for confirmation of timing for relocation of the noise wall & advising of six remaining issues

This is a link to the VRCRG's January 12, 2022 email to Estella Petzold, Alberta Transportation's communications representative.    We also cc'd our MLA for Calgary-Bow, Demetrios Nicoladies, and our Ward 1 Councillor, Sonya Sharp.

Hopefully AT will respond to our email.  We will update our website as we learn more.

December 22, 2021:  Ward 1 Councillor Sonya Sharp & VRCRG meet virtually RE Valley Meadow Close noise wall and related issues

The VRCRG were very pleased to attend a virtual meeting with our new, Ward 1 Councillor, Sonya Sharp and her Ward 1 team on Dec. 22, 2021.  The purpose was to brief Councillor Sharp and discuss details of Alberta Transportation's new Valley Meadow Close noise wall including a series of related, outstanding issues.  This is a link to the VRCRG's presentation to Councillor Sharp..  Below is our email advising affected residents along Valley Meadow Close of our meeting.   We thank Councillor Sharp for making time for us during the busy holiday season and were very pleased with the meeting.

This is a link to the latest Valley Ridge Noise Wall News.

December 7, 2021:  MLA Nicolaides confirms AT's plan to move the noise  wall directly along the edge of the nearby ramp

The VRCRG contacted our MLA for Calgary-Bow, Demetrios Nicolaides requesting an update on the status of Minister Rajan Sawhney's announcement to Community residents on September 10, 2021, three months ago, the Valley Ridge noise wall would be moved from its present, ineffective, position.  On December 7, 2021, MLA Nicolaides contacted the VRCRG to confirm whether AT still plans to move the noise wall.  He confirmed AT plans to move the noise wall to the VRCRG's recommended location, directly adjacent to the edge of the nearby westbound Trans Canada Highway off-ramp.  The picture below is a conceptual representation of the relocated noise wall and traffic noise along the WB TCH off-ramp to Valley Ridge Boulevard NW.

Below that is the VRCRG's Dec. 13, 2021 email to Valley Meadow Close residents announcing MLA Nicolaides' message.

November 19, 2021:   New Valley Ridge Blvd Underpass and 109 St. Lanes Open

October 18, 2021:  Sonya Sharp elected as new Councillor for Ward 1

September 10, 2021:  AT's new Minister, Rajan Sawhney commits the Valley Ridge noise wall will be relocated

On Friday, Sept. 10, Alberta Transportation's new Minister, Rajan Sawhney accompanied by the Project Director , Mr. Shane De Lorey, visited the Valley Ridge noise wall. The VRCRG worked with our MLA, the Honourable Demetrios Nicolaides to plan and organize the visit and the meeting. We felt Minister Sawhney's visit was a very good start and we were pleased with the outcome.

Dave McCarrel, President of the VRCA also attended. In addition to VRCRG representatives, others in attendance were Randy Savage whose house was used for the site visit, George Benns, also of Valley Meadow Close, Sharon Lawson and Gord Jones, both of Valley Brook Circle and Ron Matthezing of the Valley Ridge Heights condominiums.

Minister Sawhney and the group first visited the backyard of Randy Savage on Valley Meadow Close to view the noise wall. We want to thank Randy for his hospitality in allowing access to his property. The site visit was followed by a meeting with all at Victory Village where the VRCRG presented a set of slides to Minister Sawhney. This was followed by a discussion and open Q&A session.

The open discussion with Minister Sawhney was a positive change. Of note, was the Minister’s announcement confirming that AT would move the noise wall further upslope, past the slope’s mid-way point with the edge of the adjacent ramp. We are hopeful, we can continue to work constructively to address some of the remaining issues, including the berm replacement, loss of privacy, light & exhaust pollution. 

As always, we will continue to keep everyone posted as we learn more.

July 26, 2021:  One month of single-lane alternating traffic on Crestmont Blvd begins early August

AT's July 27 WCRR newsletter advises that in preparation for shifting traffic to the new alignment for Crestmont Boulevard S.W., a short section of pavement is remains to be constructed as part of the connection to the new alignment with the existing portion of Crestmont Blvd.  See the image below.

Construction vehicles and in-bound/out-bound residential traffic will need to share the use of the existing Crestmont Blvd to enable its' successful connection to the new alignment. For approximately one month, Crestmont Boulevard S.W. will need to operate as a single lane with alternating traffic using temporary signals to allow completion of this connection. 

AT advises this lane closure is anticipated to begin in early August with additional details to be provided. 

As this is a lengthy closure, motorists will need to exercise patience and allow for extra driving time.  As an alternative, motorists may use the west end of Crestmont Blvd to "short-cut" to Old Banff Coach Road.

July 20, 2021:  New detour to access eastbound TCH and northbound Stoney Trail takes effect July 21

AT's WCRR news update for July 20 announces that access from Valley Ridge Blvd / Crestmont Blvd to eastbound Trans Canada Highway and northbound Stoney Trail will be shifted to a new detour on the re-aligned West Valley Road S.W. this week. AT confirms that access to businesses along West Valley Road S.W. – Calgary Climbing Centre, Calgary West Dance Academy and New Victory Church – will also be shifted to the south side using the new road alignment.

Currently AT has scheduled the traffic shift for the early morning of Wednesday, July 21, weather permitting.

We have modified AT's schematic below, to better show details for residents. The dark blue arrows show the new detour route.  

July 8, 2021:  Minister Sawhney appointed as Minister of Transportation

As part of the UCP's cabinet shuffle, today, Premier Kenney appointed the Hon. Rajan Sawhney as the new Minister of Transportation replacing Minister Ric McIver who retains his second portfolio as Minister of Municipal Affairs.

June 21, 2022:  Prasad Panda Sworn in as new Minister of Transportion

Eleven months after being sworn in, Rajan Sawhney resigned as transportation minister on June 13, 2022 and announced her candidacy in the 2022 UCP leadership election.   

Prasad Panda, MLA for Calgary-Edgemont and the previous infrastructure minister, was sworn in as the new transportation minister on June 21, 2022.  Minister Panda is a mechanical engineer and member of APEGA.

June 7, 2021:  Minister McIver's Email Backs Away From 5 of 6 Previous Commitments Made to Valley Ridge

Link to Minister McIver's June 7, 2021 Email to the VRCRG

In his June 7, 2021 email response to the VRCRG, Minister McIver breaks five of six previously made commitments in his April 29, 2021 email to provide information with no explanation or justification.  The broken promises relate to various requests made during Minister McIver's April 9th meeting in Valley Ridge including: re-location of the noise wall south of Valley Meadow Close NW, replacement of the pre-existing berm south of Valley Brook Circle NW, AT's landscaping and tree re-planting strategy, publishing FAQ's from AT's last public information update in Feb. 2021, and revision of a misleading cross-section (2.4) on AT's project website. We do thank Minister McIver for following through on his sixth commitment by providing us the summary memo dated April 14, 2021 by Associated Engineering regarding their recent noise monitoring survey south of Valley Meadow Close SW.

June 4, 2021:  CTV Video and article - Ring road construction causing major traffic delays in Valley Ridge & Crestmont

Link to CTV video and article

May 25, 2021: VRCRG's Email To Minister McIver Regarding a Potential 8 KM Detour for Valley Ridge Residents and Re-location of the Noise Wall

Below is our email to Minister McIver seeking confirmation or denial of a potentially, high-impact 8 km. detour for Valley Ridge residents.  In addition we requested information promised by the Minister relating to re-location of the new Valley Ridge noise wall south of Valley Meadow Close SW that were discussed during the Minister's site visit to see the noise wall on April 9, 2021. 

May 18, 2021:  AT neither confirms nor denies potential 8 KM detour for VR residents travelling onto eastbound TCH

In her May 18, 2021 response to the VRCRG's May 16 query, Estella Petzold, AT's stakeholder relations representative, neither confirms nor denies the potential for Valley Ridge residents headed eastbound on the Trans Canada Highway, to be forced to first detour 4 km west to Old Banff Coach Road and then back east again towards either Bowfort Road or northbound Stoney Trail. 

May 6, 2021:  VRCRG's Response to Minister McIver's April 29, 2021 Email

April 29, 2021: A.T. emails VRCRG a Memo from Associated Engineering Summarizing the Recent Noise Survey on Valley Meadow Close

Mr. De Lorey was promoting the recent noise survey results as proof that current traffic noise levels were below the 65 dBA Leq24  threshold that would otherwise call for the implementation of noise attenuation measures (a noise wall or berm) per A.T.'s Provincial Noise Guidelines, last updated in October 2002.  The VRCRG does not dispute Mr. De Lorey's assertion.   However, AT's survey results are misleading, in that they reflect only "today's" traffic volumes.  Traffic noise levels from 2021 have no bearing relative to the predicted noise levels generated by the 2035-year horizon traffic volume projections nor specifications of any barrier(s) needed to comply with A.T's Noise Guidelines.  Predicted raffic noise levels generated by the 2035-year horizon traffic volumes were those utilized by A.T.'s noise consultant, Patching Associates Acoustical Engineering Ltd., in their "Detailed Design" Noise Study for AT (May 27, 2020) not 2021 volumes.  AT's promotion and use of the results of their 2021 noise survey were simply a diversion away from the key issue that the Valley Ridge noise wall is ineffective both in its' design and placement. 

April 29, 2021:  Minister McIver's incomplete response to 6 action items from his April 9th visit to the VR noise wall

Minister McIver's April 29, 2021 email to VRCRG 

April 9, 2021:  Minister Ric McIver Visits Valley Ridge Noise Wall

On Friday, April 9th, 2021, Minister Ric McIver visited Valley Ridge to observe the ineffectiveness of AT’s noise wall close-up, its significant negative impact on adjacent residents and to discuss other related issues. We have emailed the following information to our contact list of residents along the TUC and the VRCRG's general mailing list as well as the VRCA Board of Directors.

The meeting was led by the VRCRG. We were pleased with the outcome in that Minister McIver  acknowledged the Community's concerns. Here are links to the handouts provided, including a one-page briefing note and a set of slides.

Also attending were MLA Demetrios Nicolaides, MLA for Calgary-Bow, Shane De Lorey, AT's Project Director West for the West Calgary Ring Road, Ward 1's Councillor, Ward Sutherland,  Dave McCarrel, President, VRCA, and Ron Zazelenchuk of the VRCRG.  Thanks to MLA Nicolaides for coordinating Minister McIver's visit and to Mo Aladin, who graciously allowed us access into his backyard along Valley Meadow Close for Minister McIver to observe the wall firsthand.

The VRCRG presented three "asks" on behalf of directly impacted residents and the Community:

1. The Community's position is the noise wall is ineffective in its present location and requested AT relocate it adjacent to the source, along the edge of the Trans Canada Highway off-ramp, 

2. The pre-existing berm south of Valley Brook Circle acted as both a noise barrier and a privacy shield. We requested AT replace the now removed berm with a "functional equivalent", i.e., either a new berm or a noise wall given existing space limitations, and 

3. Due to the nearby proximity of new off-ramps and elevation relative to adjacent backyards, residents along Valley Meadow Close and Valley Brook Circle are now facing other related issues including loss of privacy, health impact from exhaust and headlight pollution, fence maintenance is now impossible, and poor aesthetics.

The Community has provided strong support for affected residents.  The VRCRG's petition, launched on March 5th, now has over 800 people who have signed demonstrating substantial support for AT to implement these changes. 

As of April 19th we continue to await a response from Minister McIver addressing each of the six action items listed in our email below.  We will continue to keep this website updated as soon as AT’s response is received.

March 17, 2021:  PETITION UPDATE - We're about to pass 700

Here is the link to our petition.  Please sign and circulate to all your friends and neighbours in Valley Ridge:  http://chng.it/4R2RmFSfcq 

March 7, 2021:  CTV News: "Valley Ridge residents flabbergasted by a west ring road noise wall"

March 5, 2021:  "Move the Valley Ridge Noise Wall" petition:  All current Valley Ridge residents please consider signing

February 27, 2021: VRCRG's Response to Minister McIver's Feb. 17, 2021 email

This is a link to the VRCRG's Feb. 27, 2021 to AT's Feb. 17, 2021 email.

February 17, 2021: Minister Ric McIver's email response to the VRCRG's Nov. 5, 2020 & Jan. 18, 2021 correspondence

Below is an image of Minister McIver's February 17, 2021 response to the VRCRG's November 5, 2020 and January 18, 2021 letters.

January 28, 2021: AT Announces Virtual Information Session

On January 28th, AT announced a Virtual Information Session to share updated and costruction progress for the West Calgary Ring Road (WCRR):

“Comments and questions will be accepted until February 14, 2021. All submissions will be shared with the project team and summarized into Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). The FAQs will be published on this webpage in March 2021. Inquiries can also be submitted to estella.petzold@gov.ab.ca  at any time. Please visit https://westringroad.ca/virtual-information-session/  to see updated plans, submit questions or comments, and take a look back at the project milestones in 2020.”

There is a text box, limited to 750 characters, underneath each set of project plans (Bow River Bridge, North Project, South Project) where you may enter your questions.

January 18, 2021: VRCRG Follow-up letter to Minister McIver re response to Nov. 5, 2020 letter

January 4, 2021: Nightly Lane Closures on the Trans-Cda-Hwy

December 24, 2020:  Emergency Sanitary Main Repair Work Underway in Valley Ridge

Repair timeline

Bypass piping setup is expected to start Thursday, December 24 and last approximately three days. Please refer to the map on page two for the bypass piping route. Repair to the forcemain, which is contained to a section of main on the Valley Ridge Golf Course, will take approximately two weeks, and will begin once the bypass setup is complete. Removal of the bypass piping setup will occur once the forcemain repair is complete.

Repair impacts

There will be temporary single lane closures on westbound Valley Ridge Boulevard N.W. between Valley Ridge Point and Valley Ridge Park N.W. Two-way traffic will be maintained.

There will be a temporary pathway closure. Signage onsite will provide detour information.

There will be increased traffic, including heavy construction vehicles during the setup and removal of the bypass pipe.

There may be increased noise from construction vehicles, and from the pumps operating as part of the bypass operation.

There may be odour in unexpected locations as a result of bypassing flow. There are no associated health or safety concerns but we are monitoring the area.

For safety, the work site will be fenced, and access will be restricted to City of Calgary personnel only.

Communications

Because this is unplanned work, The City was not able to provide advance notice to residents. The above information notice will be delivered to homes on Valley Ridge Point N.W. and Valley Ridge Park N.W. and sent to the Valley Ridge Community Association. The City is also working directly with the Valley Ridge Golf Course.

I will also be posting this information on Ward’s website and social media forums.

Sign up for the monthly Ward 1 Report at www.WardSutherland.com

https://www.calgary.ca/citycouncil/ward-1/wardarticles.html? 

December 18, 2020:  AT Ignores Valley Ridge Requests to Discuss & Address Noise Wall Issues (VRCRG Issues News Release)

Earlier today, the VRCRG issued a News Release and News Background to various media outlets in Calgary including journalist with the Calgary Herald and Calgary Sun, as well as GlobalTV, CBC TV, and CTV.  In addition, our package was emailed to our contact list of residents backing onto the TCH and also the Valley Ridge Community Association Board of Directors.

News Release - Dec. 18, 2020 (VRCRG)

News Backgrounder - Dec. 18,2020 (VRCRG)

Nov. 5, 2020 VRCRG Letter to Hon. Ric McIver, Minister of Transportation & Deputy House Leader

December 14, 2020:  Westbound & Eastbound Traffic Changes & Detours

December 11, 2020:  "Unconscionable: Residents Say Ring Road Sound Barrier Built too Short" (Calgary Herald)

Residents of Valley Ridge are concerned that AT's new sound barrier is too short and ineffective.

November 23, 2020: New Ramps Now Open; Crestmont Blvd & TCH Westbound Single-lane Traffic Flow

Earlier this week traffic patterns on the north side of the TCH were shifted to the new ramps and bridge per the Nov. 20 article and schematic below.  Please drive with caution and adhere to the posted speed limits.

November 20, 2020: Traffic Shifts to New Ramps and Bridge on the North Side of the Trans-Canada Hwy

On Nov. 20, AT's project website announced that in the coming days, changes to traffic patterns will come into effect, on the north side of the Trans-Canada Hwy (TCH).  For the time being, the present and long-standing route that departing traffic uses to exit Valley Ridge to head east, into the eastbound lanes of the TCH will remain unchanged.

These changes will see the opening of the first new bridge south of Valley Brook Circle, as well as traffic patterns shifting to three new exit ramps, as shown in AT's colour-coded schematic below.  We have included additional labelling to clarify some aspects of changes to these three routes, :

1. Westbound TCH traffic headed for Valley Ridge  or CR will exit sooner via a new off-ramp located further east, drive beneath the new bridge then head west to the new roundabout at Valley Ridge Blvd (blue route),  

2. Southbound Stoney Trail traffic will follow one of two new routes, towards either Banff OR into VR or Crestmont via the new roundabout on VR Blvd: 

   • BANFF: Take the new southbound off-ramp from Stoney Trail just south of the Bow River bridge then merge with westbound TCH traffic (green route) , OR 

   • VALLEY RIDGE / CR: Once on the new southbound off-ramp, bear right onto the temporary ramp connector (orange), then merge with traffic on the WB TCH off-ramp (1) towards the new roundabout on Valley Ridge Blvd, 

3. Traffic from Valley Ridge or Crestmont headed west will use the west exit the new roundabout on Valley Ridge Boulevard taking the new westbound TCH on-ramp (yellow route). 

No specific date was provided for the implementation of these changes.

Each of the three new routes will require motorists to exit sooner than they are accustomed to. Expect some slowdowns while drivers adapt to the new traffic patterns. Please watch for reduced speeds and changes to signage in the area. 

PLEASE DRIVE WITH EXTRA CAUTION.

November 13, 2020: Pipe Hammering Near Valley Brook Circle

Further to the Oct. 26 article below, AT has announced overhead powerlines along the Trans-Canada Highway are being relocated underground to accommodate the new infrastructure.  The utility company (Enmax) has been using a combination of auguring (horizontal drilling) and guided pipe ramming (trenchless construction that uses a pneumatic hammer) to push casing pipe underground.  AT advises crews have installed an echo barrier to reduce the sound and have been using an auger to bore the casing pipe as much as possible.  

However, we understand from nearby residents the noise levels and vibrations from this work have been a significant impact to their quality of life, including, in at least one case, significant structural damages to their home.

November 5, 2020:  VRCRG's Letter to Minister Ric McIver re Valley Ridge Noise Wall Requirements

Here is the link to our letter.

October 26, 2020:  Lane Closures, Ramp Paving & Burying Enmax Powerlines

October 19, 2020: Southwest Calgary Ring Road Opened Oct. 1

October 16, 2020:  MLA Nicolaides Visits VR on Sept. 25/20 & AT Disavows Any Responsibility for Enhanced Noise Mitigation or Safety Barriers

Our apologies for not posting this summary of MLA Nicolaides' visit to VR sooner.  We did broadcast an email to affected resident regarding MLA Nicolaides' visit in late September and have been waiting on his follow-up response prior to uploading this summary. Early on October 17 we did receive his email response that we've included below.

On Friday, September 25th, 2020, our MLA for Calgary-Bow and Minister for Advanced Education, the Hon. Demetrios Nicolaides, responded to our invitation and spent time in Valley Ridge to see for himself the impact of the WCRR project on adjacent residents and the community.

Minister Nicolaides’ busy schedule allowed for just over an hour’s visit in Valley Ridge. We visited the backyard of a resident on Valley Meadow Close, then concluded with brief visit to view the new wet pond on the east side of VR and a visit to the south end of the Valley Ridge Heights condominiums.

We presented MLA Nicolaides with three key “asks” on behalf of the community and discussed a number of additional concerns of adjacent residents and the community relating to safety and sound attenuation,  poor communication / cooperation and a lack of appreciation and concern for resident and motorists  AT.  Our three “asks” were:

1.      Upgrading the typical, 32-inch high, vertical concrete barriers (J or Jersey barriers)  along all ramps and roadways in near proximity to Valley Ridge to 42-inch high, concrete barriers. The 42-inch-high, barrier provides increased safety protection and can stop semi-trailer trucks. Installation of a higher, 42-inch barrier will also provide significant noise mitigation for nearby homes.

2.      We have been  unsuccessful in acquiring a copy of the WCRR Construction Agreement / Contract and asked for Minister Nicolaides’ assistance.  Accessing the Agreement may provide insights into contractor’s  performance metrics, construction schematics and other WCRR details as yet unshared with the public.

3.      We asked Minister Nicolaides to discuss with Minister McIver the potential to add extra spotters for flaggers to improve management of construction trucks to minimize the occurrence of unsafe line ups and stoppages.

Other concerns we raised with the Minister were:  AT’s and the City’s conflicting noise guidelines, the need for a higher, more extensive sound wall / visual barrier, the impact of early start-up of machinery parked near homes, the need for improved dust management, structural damage inquiries, poplar suckers, and unanswered emails by AT. 

While not wishing to create over-heightened expectations, Minister Nicolaides committed to take what action he could bring to bear with Minister McIver and AT to try and help mitigate some of the project’s impacts on the community.  Unfortunately AT disavowed any responsibility for enhanced mitigation or safety barriers.  We are uncertain at this time whether he raised "ask #3" with AT.

Should any resident wish to have their email added to our mailing list, please email us your details:  vrcrg.communications1@gmail.com  

Oct. 5, 2020:  New Roundabout & WB TCH On-ramp Now Open

With the opening of the new roundabout last week, the original westbound (WB) on-ramp to the Trans Cda Highway (TCH) has been closed (see red arrow in schematic below).  Since then, many residents have expressed concerns over unclear signage and uncertainty regarding access to the new WB lanes of the TCH. 

We have therefore modified AT's interchange schematic (Sept. 28, 2020 WCRR Project Update) to clarify access to the WB TCH and is shown in the bright blue dashed line. With time, residents will become familiar with the new on-ramp.  Be aware, there is a tight, right-hand turn just prior to entering the TCH so motorists will need to exercise caution when merging with westbound traffic.  The posted speed limit has been reduced to 50 kph as a safety precaution.

September 28, 2020:  Intense, 24-7 Construction Work on VR Blvd Interchange Starts on Wed. Sept. 30, 2020

On the upper schematic, we have highlighted a temporary connector ramp south of Valley Brook Circle (blue arrow) that will link the southbound Stoney Trail off-ramp to the westbound TCH off-ramp as it emerges from underneath the new basket-weave bridge.  AT's Sept. 28 notice does not discuss this connector ramp, however we assume it will be in place until construction of the new westbound loop ramp from the new VR Blvd interchange into the west side of the new roundabout is completed.

The lower schematic shows AT's “final” design schematic from their project website post-construction, for comparison purposes.  The numbers in the circles represent the number of lanes with the direction of travel. 

We have learned that some residents have rightly raised concerns about the ability of emergency first responders to efficiently access Valley Ridge during this 2 week, 24-7 construction window.   AT has identified the existence of the two emergency access points at either end of VR via: (1) Valley Springs Road to southbound Stoney Trail or (2) via Valley Pointe Place to the TCH.  Fire Station No. 35 is located within the community and has easy access to all portions of Valley Ridge.

September 16, 2020:  FaceBook Live Townhall on SEPT. 24 @ 6:30 PM with Hon. Demetrios Nicolaides, MLA for Calgary-Bow 

The Hon. Demetrios Nicolaides, MLA for Calgary-Bow, and Minister for Advanced Education, will be hosting a live Townhall Q & A  session this Thursday, Sept. 24 at 6:30 PM.

Please visit: https://www.facebook.com/events/647561662631638 to participate and write your questions in the comment box.

For reference, the schematic below is taken from AT's project website for the WCRR's North Project.  It is a screen capture of a portion of AT's latest, publicly available (Jan. 2020) interchange schematic centred over Valley Ridge showing the new laning configurations on the TCH and Stoney Trail south and east of Valley Ridge.  These are not engineering schematics and AT notes the design is not final and is "subject to change".

SOURCE:  West Calgary Ring Road - North Project Plans

September 14, 2020:  Paving, Overnight Work & TCH Lane Closures to Cause Intermittent Traffic Stoppages and Delays

With AT's September 14 WCRR update residents will need to allow for more travel time (and patience!) regarding a series of new projects now underway or about to commence within and around the new VR Blvd Interchange and to the west, along the Trans Canada Highway.  While AT's announcement states the intermittent delays will  cause delays of 5-10 minutes, we are advised by some residents the cumulative effect of various WCRR construction projects now underway around Valley Ridge may result in much longer delays.  Residents are therefore advised to allow for longer than normal travel times.

September 14, 2020:  Bow River Pathway Paving North of Valley Ridge is Now Complete

September 7, 2020:  UPDATED: TCH Lane Reductions Extended SEPT. 9 th - 12th West of Valley Ridge – Expect Delays

From 2 am to 3 pm daily, starting Wednesday, September 9 and ending Saturday, September 12, the Trans-Canada Highway will be reduced to one lane in both directions, west of Valley Ridge Blvd NW. These closures are required for detour construction per AT's original August 31st announcement.

AT advises of further delays and motorists are encouraged to find alternate routes, such as Old Banff Coach Road and Highway 1A. 

September 6, 2020:  "Residents demand province buy out homes whose value undermined by ring road"

This piece by Bill Kaufmann follows on from his August 31 article below.  It highlights ongoing construction and proximity concerns plus longer-term property value worries of some Valley Ridge residents along the south perimeter of the community whose homes back south onto the Trans Canada Highway.

August 31, 2020:  "Ring road construction neighbours lament dust, noise during relentless work"

The Calgary Herald published a front-page article on August 31,2020 highlighting the impact of ongoing construction-related noise and dust concerns near the south end of the WCRR project.  The Herald's article by Bill Kaufmann focussed on those residents living in the community Springbank Hill near 85th Street and Lower Springbank Road SW. 

The picture below is taken from the Herald article. We have added a yellow label and dashed circle to show the location of 85th St. / Lwr Springbank Road SW to AT's schematic taken from their project website for the WCRR.

August 31, 2020:  Expect Delays due to TCH Lane Closures from Sept. 2nd - 8th, 2020

These will be daytime closures from 8am – 3:30pm and are required for detour construction.  AT states the closures are required as permit restrictions do not allow loading and hauling the gravel required for the detour during overnight periods. 

Travel delays and backups are expected.  AT advises motorists to find alternate routes, such as Old Banff Coach Road and Highway 1A. 

August 24, 2020:  Temporary Bridge Over VR Blvd Now Installed

We have added two labels (light yellow) to help clarify AT's rather complicated interchange schematic prior to full completion of the WCRR project shown below.  The schematic shows the position of the VR Blvd, newly, re-constructed roundabout (blue circle) and the alignment of all new, westbound ramps (blue lines) and bridges (green) north of the TCH.  In this schematic, the new underpass is not shown as operational.  The first of three new bridge is shown as a green rectangle just east of the temporary bridge below which the existing VR Blvd still connects to Crestmont Blvd.  The two remaining bridges (not shown) will be located south of the new bridge located just east of the temporary bridge shown in the schematic.

Eastbound traffic flows are represented by the orange lines.  The schematic still shows the existing alignment of Crestmont Blvd with the new alignment of West Valley Road shown re-constructed just south of the Climbing Centre. The schematic does not show the new northbound or southbound lanes of Stoney Trail south of the TCH.   

AT states that the temporary bridge will be in place for approximately two years. 

TCH improvements include adjusting the highway elevations to reduce the steep grades and widening to four lanes in each direction (see AT's schematic and cross-section below).  AT advises this work will mitigate the existing steep grades on this section of road that have reduced visibility making winter travel difficult during icy conditions, particularly for the large trucks transporting goods. 

August 24, 2020: New Retaining Wall South of Valley Ridge Heights Condominiums

August 18, 2020: Major Traffic Delays for Exiting / Entering from the TCH due to Bridge Installation 

We have received emails of concern from residents regarding AT's notification for this project.  On Aug. 19, 2020, we emailed AT's Estella Petzold, Stakeholder Relations Advisor, Major Capital Projects (Estella.Petzold@gov.ab.ca) with cc's to our MLA, Hon. Demetrios Nicolaides, MLA for Calgary-Bow and Minister for Advanced Education (Calgary.Bow@assembly.ab.ca), our Ward 1 Councillor, Ward Sutherland (Ward.Sutherland@calgary.ca), and the VRCA’s Executive expressing our concerns on behalf of the VRCRG for AT's absence of any reasonable lead time so that residents may have planned ahead or had additional time to make alternative arrangements.  We will keep you posted via this website with further feedback from AT in response to our email.

August 3, 2020:  AT Announces Construction of Sound Wall East of Valley Ridge Boulevard NW

In late May, AT released an updated noise analysis study to its initial, 2018 study by their consultant, Patching Associates Acoustical Engineering Ltd.  Both studies are available for download via two links at the bottom of AT's webpage for "Noise Guidelines & Mitigation".  The VRCRG completed a detailed review of the 2 noise studies and our review uncovered potential issues and inconsistencies between the updated study and the earlier 2018 study.  Both noise studies recommended the installation of a 1.8 metre high by 169 metre long sound wall behind the 12 homes on Valley Meadow Close that back onto the TCH.  

AT announced construction of the above sound wall in a July 28, 3 page letter, distributed to these same 12 residences.  The letter is an invitation for these homeowners to meet with AT to answer questions regarding AT's plan to begin construction in late August.  In this letter, AT notes that the proposed wall will be shorter than most of the existing rear fences which it estimates are approximately eight feet tall.  Given the higher elevations and proximity of the new ramps and the TCH to adjacent homes, combined with, in our view, incomplete information in Patching’s noise reports, the VRCRG is of the opinion that the proposed sound wall is very likely too low and not long enough. 

AT's three page letter is posted below:

August 3, 2020:  Overnight Deck Pour Announced for Wed., August 5th on new bridge south of Valley Brook Circle

The retaining wall is being installed along the southeast border of Valley Ridge Heights just inside the north boundary of the TUC.  Its purpose is to provide support for the future westbound TCH on-ramp from VR Blvd.  AT showed a photo of the formwork for the new wall in their July 6 project update.  Residents of Valley Ridge Heights have raised questions as to the purpose of the broad hard packed base area just outside the formwork for the new wall and whether is the position of the new westbound TCH on-ramp from VR Blvd.  

We will be emailing AT for confirmation however we wonder it more likely this to be a portion of the work area for the new retaining wall that will stretch around the southeast corner of the Valley Ridge Heights condominiums.  It appears the wall is being constructed starting at it most westerly limit near unit 90 and will extend east then north to approximately the property line between units 124 and 128.  We will update this piece as we learn more.

From discussions with members of the condominium's Board of Directors, we understand that adjacent homeowners are concerned about the negative impact of the wall retaining wall and the alignments of the westbound TCH on-ramp will have on their homes.  

Based on Patching Associates Acoustical Engineering Ltd's latest noise report (May 2020) it is our understanding that no sound walls are proposed for this area.

July 10, 2020:  Implications of AT's Use of Reinforced Soil Slopes (RSS) to Maximize Useable Land for New Ramps South of Valley Meadow Close NW

AT's use of RSS to steepen the north slope of the westbound off-ramps from northbound and southbound Stoney Trail (labelled in the schematic above) has enabled an increase in the "useable land" , shown as an extra lane in the schematic below.  As the width of the TUC south of Valley Ridge is among, or is the narrowest anywhere along Calgary's ring road, AT's use of RSS maximizes the amount of useable land needed for the increased number of ramps and extra lanes being packed into this unusually tight strip of land.  

More lanes and ramps packed into such a narrow TUC will significantly increases the negative impact on adjacent homes to the north. This negative impact is further enhanced as the elevation of the new ramps and additional lanes is several metres above the elevation of the homes to the north.  Careful examination of AT's picture below shows that to the right and downslope, are homes along Valley Meadow Close NW located adjacent to the new lanes of westbound off-ramps from northbound and southbound Stoney Trail and westbound TCH heading west towards the new VR Blvd interchange.  

The steeper north slope not only enables an extra westbound lane at the top of the ramp, it helps provide the needed room to pack in the westbound TCH to VR Blvd off-ramp just north, between the base of the north slope and property lines of homes along Valley Meadow Close and Valley Brook Circle. The two photos below are southerly views from: (1) the west side of 152 Valley Meadow Close (located adjacent to the VR Community Garden) towards the steep slope of the new, and elevated ramp, and (2) between 152 and its neighboring home, to the east, again showing the magnitude and proximity of the new steep-sloped ramp to the south. 

July 10, 2020:  ANNOUNCING NEW INITIATIVE--COMMUNITIES 4 RING ROAD OPTIMIZATION

C4RRO

We wish to advise interested resident of a new initiative we learned of in early July (see emails below).  The new group's name is "COMMUNITIES FOR RING ROAD OPTIMIZATION" and is headed up by Jody Haynes and Brian Hoffman of the Woodbine community.  C4RRO is focussed on attracting residents within Calgary that have been impacted by the new ring road to seek compensation from The Province / Alberta Transportation.  We shared C4RRO's initial email to us with our mailing list but wanted to post it here for broader awareness.

Contact details and social media links on page 2 below.  C4RRO's email is:  c4rroyyc@gmail.com and Jody Haynes' cell is: 403-975-5104

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

-------- Original message --------

From: vrcrg.communications1@gmail.com

Date: Tue., Jul. 7, 2020, 16:05

Cc: 'Jody Haynes' <j.haynes@shaw.ca>

Subject: Communities for Ring Road Optimization

Folks,

We  wish to pass on some information you may find of interest.  This message will likely be of most interest to those residents backing onto the TUC, either south onto the Trans Canada Highway or east onto Stoney Trail.  As

our mailing list lacks address details for many residents please share our email with your neighbors / friends bordering the TUC whom you feel may benefit.  

A group of Woodbine residents are exploring legal options related to the negative impacts from the ring road and are seeking other potential interested participants.

Last week we were in touch with Jody Haynes of the Woodbine community in the SW.  Jody, together with other Woodbine residents, has been in the news recently.  Jody lives near 37th Street/new southwest ring road and Anderson Road where AT also implemented some last minute and unannounced design changes bringing the new roadways much closer to the adjacent homes, the primary driver for their concerns.  

Jody and her partner Brian Hoffman, have organized a new, multi-community group, "Communities 4 Ring Road Optimization (C4RRO)"  See their email below where they reach out to residents and communities along both the Southwest and the West Calgary Ring Roads to join them in pursuing AT for compensation due to the impact of the new ring road on their homes and quality of life. They are aware of Minister Ric McIver's public comments that AT will not consider any compensation for residents however Jody advises they have already engaged a lawyer to assist in this process. Jody has advised they are available for a meeting (keeping social distancing in mind) with interested residents.

Although the VRCRG is supportive of the group's initiative, we will not be taking an active role in this matter.  However, we feel some homeowners may have an interest in learning more, hence our email and information to enable you to make your own decision whether to pursue this further.  We have also bcc'd members of the VRCA's Executive team to ensure the VRCA is aware of the C4RRO's initiative. 

Please feel free to contact Jody Haynes directly (her details are below) &/or respond to our email (vrcrg.communications1@gmail.com <mailto:vrcrg.communications1@gmail.com>  ) with any comments you wish to share.

Please advise if you no longer wish to be on our mailing list and your name/email address will be removed. 

On behalf of the  Valley Ridge Concerned Residents' Group,

(the VRCRG is not affiliated with the VRCA)

-------- Original message --------

From: C4RRO < <mailto:c4rroyyc@gmail.com> c4rroyyc@gmail.com>

Date: Mon., Jun. 29, 2020, 20:31

To:  <mailto:j.haynes@shaw.ca> j.haynes@shaw.ca

Subject: Weekly Update

Are you willing to let Alberta Transportation dictate how they TELL you what you will accept? The province? The city

View this email in your browser (<https://mailchi.mp/6dfd9913bad9/weekly-update?e=913c3a9db3>

https://mailchi.mp/6dfd9913bad9/weekly-update?e=913c3a9db3)

Good evening All,

Every day goes by and we get no further information about the Ring Road. Every newscast and letters to the editors (newspapers), letters to the CEO's of Kewiet, Gramam, Ledcore, KGL, Ellis Don, the Premier, the Minister of Transportation, our MLA's and  the Mayor all go unanswered or given a template form letter response.  It has been such a journey with the lack of political accountability.

We wish we could save everyone with a magic bullet. The only way we are going to have a say about anything that the government has shoved down our throats is to do what we are doing. PLEASE continue to send letters, continue to make phone calls, TALK to your Neighbours, don't stand for the lack of response from our ELECTED politicians.

We are not political revolutionaries! Simply, citizens that have not had a say in the very things that will drastically affect our lives. Sound attenuation? Do you want a say in how that looks? Compensation? Think your property value has been affected? Pollution through the neighbourhoods that you call your home?

If you believe that the politicians will not stand up for what is right, we need to rally with legal representation. The more of us there are being represented with litigation the better ALL of US will be in being able to negotiate what is important to us.

WE have been in talks with a litigator from Edmonton that has experience against the province. The more of us there are the more the cost is spread out. There are not many of us that have the deep pockets to fight for our rights as stakeholders, which is what the province is hoping for. Together we have had an affect. Let's continue to rewrite how the province views its taxpayers. 

If you wish to discuss your participation with us, please send us a message or give us a call.

Brian Hoffmann and Jody Haynes

403.620.9502   and  403.975.5104 

July 6, 2020: Culvert Extensions to commence for the New Storm Pond #6 West of Valley Ridge

AT's schematic below (airphoto vintage ca. ~2009) shows the new storm pond #6 will be located between two tributaries of Coach Creek immediately north of the TCH.  The photo is taken from what will be the south side of the new pond #6 and is looking north towards homes on Valley Pointe Way/Place.

AT advises the week of July 6, 2020 will see crews start extending culverts north of the highway to accommodate construction on the Trans-Canada Highway as well as connect to the new stormpond. The initial culverts will be temporary (corrugated steel) and replaced with permanent infrastructure later this summer.

Building the culvert extensions requires some work within the streambed of the Coach Creek tributary. Currently, runoff from this catchment discharges to Coach Creek uncontrolled and untreated. The new stormpond will improve water quality with the use of a forebay before it reaches the creek. AT advises that all work being conducted is in accordance with AEP regulations and approvals.

July 6, 2020:  July 8th & 10th - Exit from Eastbound Trans-Canada Highway to Northbound Stoney Trail Closed Overnight

June 29, 2020:  A.T. CONFIRMS WCRR NORTH PROJECT REMAINS ON SCHEDULE (For a fall 2022 completion)

In response to our email request, Estella Petzold, Alberta Transportation's Project Coordinator, kindly confirmed while the completion date announced on June 24, 2020 for the WCRR's South Project is scheduled for 2024, that completion of the North Project, "currently under construction, remains on schedule".

We note that nowhere on AT's WCRR project website can we locate any reference to AT's previously estimated completion date of fall 2022 for the North Project.  However a press release by the previous NDP government on AT's government website together with a March 5, 2019 piece in the Calgary Herald both reference a late 2022 completion:

"The West Calgary Ring Road will be open during fall 2022, one year following the expected completion of the Southwest Calgary Ring Road project. "  

June 26, 2020:   WCRR completion delayed two years to 2024

June15, 2020:  CANCELLED--Planned Roundabout at Valley Ridge Drive / Valley Ridge Blvd

During the last half of 2019, AT's general contractor, EllisDon, advised the VRCA, and worked with members of the former Planning Committee and the City of Calgary on their plan to construct a new roundabout in place of the four-way stop at Valley Ridge Drive and Valley Ridge Boulevard NW.  Figure 1 is a schematic from AT's project website showing VR Blvd and the new interchange once construction is complete.  It also shows the north boundary (red) of AT's Transportation Utility Corridor (TUC) located just to the south of the four-way stop. We have simply added labels to identify where EllisDon's now-cancelled planned roundabout (stop sign symbol)would have been situated.  During construction, the existing roundabout just north of the highway will be removed and re-built, as labelled, much closer to the fire station and playing fields.  In the interim, EllisDon's plan was to utilize the new roundabout at the four-way stop as a means of diverting construction traffic and re-routing of all westbound traffic exiting the Trans Canada Highway for destinations south of the highway (e.g., Crestmont, Climbing Centre etc.).  

June 10, 2020: New Bow River Pathway is Now Open

AT announced the new Bow River pathway opened the week of June 1, 2020. Once all the permanent handrails have been installed, the pathway will be paved.  AT has confirmed the full pathway will be assessable for strollers, wheelchairs, and bike trailers as an alternative to the staircase once construction is complete in 2022.

June 5, 2020:  Stormwater Management Pond 6 Excavation Operations Underway

See also

May 29, 2020:  Construction commencing on excavation of new, storm water management pond 6 located on west side of Valley Ridge

See also

AT has provided formal notification to the VRCA confirming commencement of construction for a new stormwater management pond ("Pond 6") is to be located within the highway right-of-way immediately west of Valley Pointe Way and the existing storm pond.  Stripping operations of existing trees and brush from the construction site occurred in late 2019 / early 2020.  Pond 6, will be two to three times the size of the existing storm water pond and is required to handle stormwater runoff from the doubling of existing lanes on the Trans-Canada Highway being built as part of the West Calgary Ring Road (WCRR). The existing pond is owned and operated by The City of Calgary to manage stormwater runoff from nearby residential streets.

Pond 6 is classified as a wet pond, designed to capture, and temporarily contain stormwater runoff for some of the sediments and pollutants to settle out, allowing cleaner water to return to the Bow River via Coach Creek.  Coach Creek is shown in the schematic flowing north from Crestmont, below the TCH via a culvert, and west of the Pond 6, ultimately draining into the Bow River.  Currently runoff is discharged into Coach Creek untreated and uncontrolled; the installation of Pond 6 will result in an improvement to the stormwater management in the area. 

The present site of the future Pond 6 is a mounded hill requiring a significant excavation to reduce the elevation in preparation for the future Pond 6.  Equipment required will include bulldozers, backhoes, large rock trucks, graders, packers, and water trucks. A significant number of dump trucks will be required to haul excavated material away from the work site.  There were early community concerns that EllisDon would successfully apply to the City of Calgary for a haul permit for dump trucks through the residential streets of Valley Ridge to provide access to the Valley Ridge Blvd / TCH interchange.  In February 2019 we advised the City's Director of Roads of the community's concerns and are therefore pleased to see that EllisDon's contractors will instead utilize an east-west haul route along the north side of the Trans-Canada Highway (red & green arrows),  to access and haul material away from the work site to the interchange. 

During construction, AT advises that adjacent residents should expect increased dust and noise from construction activities and changes to the visual landscape as construction progresses. 

AT advises the new, stormwater management pond 6 will not include landscaping, beautification, or a pathway. 

May 26, 2020:  Tree-pruning south of Valley Ponds Crescent

May 25, 2020:  Work Starting Along Trans-Canada Highway, West of Valley Ridge 

May 19, 2020 - Bow River Pathway Remains Open -- Temporary Closure NOW POSTPONED DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS

AT's UPDATE: The pathway removal has been postponed due to poor weather conditions. The pathway remains open at this time. 

The pathway closure connecting Valley Ridge and Bowness Park, on the south side of the Bow River has now been postponed.  AT's May 19,20202 update offered no timing as to when the two week pathway closure will occur .  

During this temporary closure period, AT advisers the new pathway alignment will be tied in and a section of the pathway will be removed. There will be no pathway detour available, nor will there be access to the Bow River pedestrian bridge to or from the west. 

AT advises that pathway access to and from the east will remain open.  (Presumably this means from within Bowness Park itself, below the escarpment.)

Pathway users can expect heavy equipment and construction personnel in the area for the remainder of the project. Please look for detour and closure signs in the area.  

For more information about the project, visit AT's project website: westringroad.ca.

May 13, 2020: VR Blvd Traffic Shift & Detour Construction - TIMING DELAYED--NOW end-May to early-August

AT ANNOUNCED A CHANGE:  Please note: The timing for shifting traffic to the first stage of the detour has been updated.

May 11, 2020:   Entering the Construction Zone is Trespassing, & TCH Reduced to One Lane for Girder Installations

The TUC is an active construction zone - Entry by the public is dangerous, unsafe & is trespassing

We are concerned to learn that AT is reporting there have been several reports from both their contractor and adjacent residents about people trespassing into the Transportation Utility Corridor. 

May 4, 2020: WCRR Update by AT - Preparation Work for VR Blvd Detour Begins

April 27, 2020:  Traffic Disruptions - 3 Shoulder Closures April 28-29, 2020

Alberta Transportation has issued three construction notices for several traffic impacts that will be occurring April 28th, during the day and throughout the night. Impacts to traffic are expected to be minor, but will be ongoing for the times noted. Residents are asked to watch out for workers who will be present in the area and to obey all signs and speed limits.

April 20, 2020: AT's WCRR Update - Bowness Park & Pathway Re-open; Girder Installations on Basketweave Bridge; & Gravel Removal - South Project

BOW RIVER BRIDGE PROJECT

Bowness Park and Pathway Re-open:  AT advises that Bowness Park will re-open to vehicle traffic the morning of April 21, as will the pathway on the west side of the bridge, connecting Valley Ridge to Bowness Park.

NORTH PROJECT

Girder Installations on Basketweave Bridge North of Trans-Canada Highway:  

April 13, 2020: AT's WCRR Update - Crestmont Controlled Blasting 

North Project:  Controlled Blasting East of Crestmont

AT advise on April 13 that starting in mid-April, a small area south of Crestmont Boulevard SW will be excavated using controlled blasting.  

Blasting in this area will be intermittent and take approximately three months to complete (July 2020). Blasting is anticipated to take place in spurts, with crews moving in and out of the area periodically. For more information, please check westringroad.ca > North Project > Controlled Blasting. All blasts will occur between 3 pm and 5 pm, Monday to Saturday, and will be monitored by seismograph equipment. 

April 6, 2020:  AT's WCRR Project Update - Pile-driving now ~50% complete, Enmax Re-locations, Bowness Park Closure & Piling Update

North Project:  Piling Approximately 50 Per Cent Complete

AT announced that as of March 31, nearly 500 piles have been installed for the 20 bridges on this project, totaling approximately 15,000 vertical metres.

There are three bridges on the new Trans-Canada Highway/Valley Ridge Blvd NW interchange: one north of the Trans-Canada, one south and one going over the highway. The bridge on the north (Valley Ridge) side will have eight precast concrete girders installed during the week of April 6th.

Bow River Bridge Project:  Evening Lane Closures on Stoney Trail for ENMAX Relocations

AT announced that ENMAX is relocating an overhead power line south of the Bow River to accommodate the new bridge. In the coming weeks (mid- to late April and early May), periodic lane closures will be required on Stoney Trail for short times in the evenings. Minor delays are expected. Please check 511 Alberta for current road conditions.

February 24, 2020:  AT issues WCRR Update for the Bow River Bridge, North and South Projects

(2) CONTROLLED BLASTING (AT website):   As conventional methods would be ineffective, controlled blasting will be utilized for removal of up to 20m of bedrock on the Paskapoo slope immediately west of Cougar Ridge.  This is required to lower the level of the new ring road well below adjacent homes in order to mitigate noise and visual impacts of the new freeway.  

AT's third public information session for controlled blasting will be on Wednesday, March 11, from 5 – 7 pm at WinSport’s Markin McPhail Centre (151 Canada Olympic Rd SW).  If you have questions about blasting or are concerned about damage to your home, please email wcrrblasting@explotech.com  AT's project team will respond in one business day.  AT has held two previous open houses for controlled blasting on Sat., Jan. 11, 2020 and Wed., Feb. 12, 2020.  We understand there were between 50 - 80 people in attendance on Jan. 11 with only five attendees at the Feb. 12 open house.  

CONTROLLED BLASTING CONTINUES:  Five people attended the controlled blasting information session on February 12 and no comment forms were submitted. The next public information session for controlled blasting will be on Wednesday, March 11, 5 – 7 pm at WinSport’s Markin McPhail Centre (151 Canada Olympic Rd SW).

To date, there have been almost 50 blasts in the Transportation Utility Corridor. For an updated map showing the blast locations, please visit the Controlled Blasting web page.

SOUTH PROJECT:  Crews will be onsite the week of Feb. 17 preparing for tree and brush clearing, which begins on Thursday, February 20. Removals are expected to start at Old Banff Coach Road SW and move progressively south. More information about the tree and brush clearing is available online.

AT advises that safety is a top priority for the Government of Alberta and contractors. Residents and all members of the public are reminded to stay out of the Transportation Utility Corridor as it is an active construction site.

February 10, 2020: West Calgary Ring Road Project Update from Alberta Transportation

AT issued a project update for the Bow River Bridge, North and South Projects. The text below is taken from AT's website.

For updates on the West Calgary Ring Road, please visit westringroad.ca. For up-to-date information on traffic detours and speed reductions as a result of construction activity in and around Calgary please visit 511 Alberta. 

Bow River Bridge:  

PATHWAY UPDATE:  AT advises the pathway on the south side of the Bow River connecting Valley Ridge and Bowness Park is fully closed for tree and brush clearing until later in February. There is no pathway detour available during this time, nor is there access to the Bow River pedestrian bridge to or from the west.  The City of Calgary also maintains a Pathway Closures map. 

North Project

CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS UPDATE:  Work on the 20 bridge structures within this project is ongoing and is focused primarily on piling and concrete work for the piers and abutments. 

CONTROLLED BLASTING:  As this work continues, controlled blasting has been happening closer to residents. People living and working close to the controlled blasting can expect to feel vibrations and this may cause concern.  There will be a public information session to provide an update on blasting activity and progress on Wednesday, February 12, 5 – 7 pm at WinSport’s Markin McPhail Centre (151 Canada Olympic Rd SW). 

January 27, 2020: West Calgary Ring Road Project Update from Alberta Transportation

BOW RIVER BRIDGE TWINNING PROJECT:  Bow River Bridge Temporary Closure 

Starting January 27 and lasting approximately three weeks, the pathway on the south side of the Bow River connecting Valley Ridge and Bowness Park will be fully closed for tree and brush clearing. This work is required to accommodate the new Bow River Bridge. There will be no pathway detour available during this time, nor will there be access to the Bow River pedestrian bridge to or from the west.

Please check westringroad.ca for additional details on the pathway closure and upcoming changes.

NORTH PROJECT: