New Ivor Strong Bridge on Calgary’s Deerfoot Trail to open July 27

Calgary's Deerfoot Trail is nearing a significant milestone with the scheduled opening of the new Ivor Strong Bridge on July 27, 2026. The Alberta government highlights this as a key development in a massive, $700 million project aimed at improving one of the province's busiest transportation arteries.

The new bridge, spanning the Bow River between the Douglasdale and Diamond Cove communities, is expected to ease traffic flow. Initially, both northbound and southbound traffic will use the new structure while rehabilitation work is conducted on the older, existing bridge. Once that work is complete, traffic patterns will shift, with four lanes in each direction operating on both bridges.

The broader Deerfoot Trail Improvement Project encompasses a wide range of upgrades. These include resurfacing 70 kilometers of road, widening 40 kilometers, installing new concrete barriers, rehabilitating two existing bridges, constructing seven new bridges, and upgrading lighting along 77 percent of the trail. Alberta's minister of transportation and economic corridors, Devin Dreeshen, noted that the Anderson intersection is targeted for completion by fall, with four major components already finished on the north side near the airport.

Provincial government estimates suggest the Ivor Strong Bridge replacement alone will significantly cut commute times. Morning commuters could see their travel time reduced by approximately 15 percent, while evening commutes may be shortened by up to 22 percent. Deerfoot Trail, a vital north-south freeway in Calgary since the 1970s, currently handles up to 180,000 vehicles daily.

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The Anderson intersection should be completed by this fall. That’s the target.