The scope of this project is to plan for widening of Country Hill Boulevard to enhance multi-modal connections and rehabilitate existing road infrastructure to six lanes between Barlow Trail and Harvest Hills Gate N.E, and investigate associated bridge upgrades required across Deerfoot Trail, Nose Creek and the CP Rail tracks.

Phase 3, the Reveal Phase, was completed in May 2021. Final refinements are now being made and the functional planning study will be finalized in early 2023. The recommended plan for the Country Hills N.E. study area was accepted by Council on January 24, 2023.

Country Hills Boulevard is a significant roadway serving as a key east-west link in north Calgary. Currently most of Country Hills Boulevard between Harvest Hills Gate NE and Barlow Trail NE is a rural standard four-lane road that lacks continuous sidewalks and connectivity to the 5A network for pedestrians and cyclists. With the anticipated growth in commercial and industrial activities along this corridor, travel activity in the area will become more congested over time. This study addresses future corridor needs in the area across the CP Rail tracks, Nose Creek and Deerfoot Trail. The functional study also identifies land that is required to ensure its protection during future development plan approvals.

The City currently does not have funding available or a set timeline to begin construction. The timing of construction will be determined once funding is available.

Engagement for the functional planning study was organized into three phases – each tied to key milestones in the development of the functional plans.

• Discover (Nov. – Dec. 2019): Discovered opportunities, challenges, priorities and evaluation criteria for the study area with interested parties and the public. Three pop-up events; 192 participants. Online survey; 91 respondents.

• Explore (Jun. – Jul. 2020): Explored design concepts and evaluation results with interested parties and the public. Due to public health restrictions, this was online only. Received 115 online submissions.

• Reveal (Apr. – May 2021): Presented the recommended plan to interested parties and the public. Due to public health restrictions, this was online only. Received 62 online submissions.

The team engaged Northern Hills community residents and Calgarians at large as well as community associations, key landowners, and local business owners along the corridor. The key themes heard during the public engagement throughout the three phases included:

• Widen Country Hills Boulevard, including bridges over Deerfoot Trail, Nose creek and CP Rail, to reduce traffic congestion and improve traffic operations;
• Increase pathway connectivity and improve transit connectivity.
  

The final recommendations were developed by incorporating and considering feedback from Calgarians and various interested parties.

The key themes that emerged from the public engagement throughout the three phases included widening CHB and the bridges, traffic congestion, and pathway and transit connectivity.

The community expressed that they felt the widening would decrease congestion, improve traffic flow in the area, and they liked the improvements to pathways and pedestrian connectivity.

We heard concerns surrounding increased future traffic volumes would increase traffic noise and possible negative impacts to the Nose Creek wetland to both the wetland and to wildlife in the area. We will monitor the traffic growth along the corridor and take measures for the future noise levels. The possible negative impacts on Nose Creek will be further investigated and evaluated in the future design phase before construction.

The top seven priorities from the first round of engagement and one priority from The City were used to evaluate the options.

1. Traffic Safety
2. Community Access
3. Reduced Travel Time
4. Bicycle Accommodation
5. Pedestrian Accommodation
6. Environmental Sustainability
7. Pathway Connectivity
8. Construction Cost (City’s priority)

In 2017 traffic volumes were:

• Up to 33,000 vehicles per day (vpd) used Country Hills Blvd (west of Deerfoot Trail)
• Up to 18,000 vehicles per day (vpd) used Country Hills Blvd (east of Deerfoot Trail)

In 2019 traffic volumes were:

• Up to 37,000 vehicles per day (vpd) used Country Hills Blvd (west of Deerfoot Trail)
• Up to 27,000 vehicles per day (vpd) used Country Hills Blvd (east of Deerfoot Trail)

Over the next 20 years, it is expected that new industrial and business areas will be developed north of Country Hills Blvd. and traffic is expected to be:

• Up to 56,000 vpd on Country Hills Blvd (west of Deerfoot Trail) when the area is fully developed
• Up to 42,000 vpd on Country Hills Blvd (east of Deerfoot Trail) when the area is fully developed

Yes, we are planning for separated walking and wheeling facilities along Country Hills Boulevard N.E. to improve connectivity, accessibility, and safety in the area.

Nose Creek will not be impacted, as the widening will occur outside of the bed and shore of Nose Creek. During future construction, temporary impacts may occur. Any impacts will be identified before construction starts.

A Preliminary Natural Site Assessment (PNSA) and a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) were conducted as part of the first phase of this study. This identified actual and potential sources of site contamination caused by current and/or historical land uses and recommended that future design consultants should reassess them based on their proximity to excavation areas and the depths of the excavations, when finalized.

A Nose Creek Hydrotechnical Analysis was conducted, and it noted virtually no change to creek height due to the widening of the existing bridge structure.

At the functional planning study stage, we don’t anticipate the widening project will have impacts to the wetlands of Nose Creek, as the widening will occur outside of the bed and shore of Nose Creek. In the future construction stage, if wetlands will be impacted, replacement and potential compensation sites will be examined during the biophysical impact assessment prior to construction. The process for construction will follow Alberta Environment’s Wetland Policy.

These recommendations support the completion of commercial and industrial growth as part of the approved Stoney Industrial Area Structure Plan (ASP). With the anticipated growth in commercial and industrial activities along this corridor, travel activity in the area will become more congested over time. Upgrading the corridor helps to achieve a balance of growth between established and greenfield communities within a growing industrial area. Widening of Country Hills Blvd. will also provide increased capacity for accessing Airport Trail and Deerfoot Trail.

The study and outcomes align with Next 20, and The City's Municipal Development Plan (MDP) and Calgary’s Transportation Plan (CTP). The functional study also identifies land that is required to ensure its protection during future development plan approvals.

Widening Country Hills Boulevard will allow for efficient transit trips along the corridor. Access to the Stoney Transit Facility north on 14 Street N.E. will also be improved. Modifications to existing transit stops include upgrades to in-lane stops to improve transit operations, including a proposed eastbound in-lane transit stop east of 11 Street N.E. on Country Hills Boulevard. Separated walking and wheeling facilities will also be provided to improve connectivity, accessibility, and safety.

The widening of Country Hills Boulevard to six lanes is completed in most sections with exceptions being between:

• Harvest Hills Gates and 14^th Street NE westbound (1km).
• East of Harvest Hills Way NE and 11^th Street NE eastbound (600 metres).
• Vicinity of the Deerfoot Trail interchange area, both directions (1km).

These segments of Country Hills Boulevard are currently lacking continuous sidewalks and connectivity to the 5A network for pedestrians and cyclists. The recommended plans provide continuous connections as well as additional travel lanes to address anticipated congestion resulting from growth in north Calgary. The plans also include separated walking and wheeling lanes to help improve safety for active modes of transportation.