Calgary Road Construction & Detours That Will Affect Your Move (2026)

Calgary is in the middle of the most construction-intensive period in its history. A city report found $18 billion in infrastructure rated poor or very poor, with $6.16 billion needed over the next decade for critical repairs. Meanwhile, the $6.248 billion Green Line LRT, the $615 million Deerfoot Trail widening, and a record pace of housing construction are all running at the same time. The average Calgary commute has grown 14% since 2021 — from 24.2 minutes to 27.7 minutes — and the TomTom Traffic Index shows drivers now lose 65 hours per year to rush-hour congestion. If you are planning a move in 2026, here is every active construction zone, road restriction, and routing tip you need.

Active Construction Zones in 2026

Green Line LRT (Southeast Segment)

The Green Line is Calgary's largest-ever infrastructure project: $6.248 billion for 17.2 km of LRT across Phase 1, with 12 stations. The 16 km southeast segment broke ground on June 26, 2025, with 10 stations running from Shepard to the future Event Centre / Grand Central Station. The target opening is 2031.

Active 2026 construction sites include the Ogden Road realignment (lane closures and concrete safety barriers through summer 2026), the Blackfoot Trail LRT Bridge at 26 Avenue SE (partial lane closures since November 2025), and piling work at 114 Avenue SE and Barlow Trail in Douglas Glen for the elevated guideway. The $45 million 78 Avenue SE grade separation — which eliminated a crossing that saw 20 to 30 trains per day — is now complete.

Communities affected: Shepard, Douglas Glen, Quarry Park, Ogden, Lynnwood/Millican, Inglewood, and Ramsay. Check the Green Line construction updates for current road closures.

Deerfoot Trail Widening ($615 Million)

Deerfoot Trail is Alberta's busiest road, carrying more than 180,000 vehicles per day — nearly triple the 65,000-per-day capacity it was designed for in the 1960s. The $615 million improvement project (two contracts awarded to Aecon) has been running since 2023 and will continue through 2027.

In 2026, the Glenmore Trail interchange is the biggest active zone: the new northbound bridge opened in November 2025, and the existing bridge is being rehabilitated to carry all southbound traffic. The Southland Drive interchange is also being reconfigured through 2026. Further south, bridge construction at Anderson Road and Bow Bottom Trail continues through 2027. Completed sections at McKnight Boulevard and 16 Avenue NE have already saved drivers up to 20 minutes of travel time.

Detour tip: use Anderson Road or Southland Drive as east-west alternatives when Glenmore is backed up at Deerfoot. Check the Deerfoot Trail Improvements site for weekly construction updates.

Macleod Trail Median Barriers ($22.1 Million)

The Macleod Trail S.E. Median Barriers Project covers 1,400 metres of new median barriers from Shawnessy Boulevard to Canyon Meadows Drive, plus 2,800 metres of curb replacement, resurfacing, and Bannister Road Bridge rehabilitation. A minimum of two lanes stay open per direction at all times. General work runs 7 AM to 7 PM; milling and paving happen 9 PM to 5 AM. Communities affected: Shawnessy, Midnapore, Sundance.

14 Avenue and 14 Street NW Bridge

This $5 million bridge rehabilitation begins in spring 2026. The 1957 bridge is being reconfigured from four lanes to three, with wider multi-use pathways, new railings, updated traffic signals, and lighting. Communities affected: Hounsfield Heights-Briar Hill, West Hillhurst, Sunnyside. Construction runs through September 2027.

Stephen Avenue Revitalization (Downtown)

The Stephen Avenue project began July 21, 2025 with granite pavers, upgraded lighting, traffic signals, and automatic bollards. The 100 Block SE should be substantially complete by June 2026 — ahead of Stampede. Utility work on Centre Street (7th to 9th Avenue) continues through year-end, with a pause in July and August for the summer business season. Vehicle access is restricted in the construction zone; work runs Monday to Saturday, 7 AM to 6 PM.

Glenmore Trail Paving (Crowchild to Elbow Drive)

Paving and a new 1.2 km sound wall begin summer 2026. Most work is scheduled for nights and weekends to minimize daytime lane closures. Communities affected: Lakeview, North Glenmore Park, Altadore.

What's Finished (and No Longer Causing Detours)

Good news for move-day routing — several major projects are now complete:

• Stoney Trail / West Ring Road — the final southwest section opened December 19, 2023. Calgary's 100+ km ring road is fully open and free-flowing.

• Centre Street N / MAX Green BRT — all station upgrades completed August 2025. MAX Green launched September 1, 2025. No further road disruptions.

• Crowchild Trail — $87 million upgrades completed 2020; resurfacing finished 2024. No 2026 projects planned; medium-term plans are scheduled beyond 2027.

• Deerfoot Trail at McKnight Blvd and 16 Avenue NE — fourth-lane additions completed October 2025. These sections now flow significantly better.

Spring Road Bans (March to June)

Every spring, Alberta Transportation imposes weight restrictions on secondary highways and municipal roads during thaw season. The start date is weather-dependent — triggered when thaw depth reaches 25 cm at the province's 70 frost probe stations — and typically runs March through June. Allowable axle weights on restricted roads drop to 75% of normal on most paved secondary highways and to 50% of normal on oiled roads. Call 1-855-ROADBAN (1-855-762-3226) for current restrictions.

Within Calgary, the city runs its own seasonal load bans from March 15 to May 15 on specific roads, with 50%, 75%, or 90% weight limits depending on the route. Several roads in the northeast and southeast carry 50% restrictions — the strictest level. For a loaded moving truck carrying heavy furniture, these restrictions can force alternate routing. Call 311 to check whether your move-day route crosses a load-banned road.

Low Clearance Points Every Moving Truck Should Avoid

Alberta's legal maximum vehicle height is 4.15 metres (13 ft 6 in). Several Calgary underpasses are well below this limit. A CBC investigation found the city deliberately posts clearances lower than actual measurements as a safety buffer — but these are the danger points:

• 7 Street SE under CPR Bridge: 2.0 m (6 ft 6 in) — impassable for any vehicle larger than a car

• Centre Street Bridge lower deck: 2.7 m (8 ft 10 in) — impassable for any moving truck

• Riverfront Avenue at Centre Street: 3.6 m (11 ft 10 in) — too low for any standard moving truck

• Plus 15 at Bankers Hall (Stephen Avenue): 4.0 m (13 ft 1 in) — posted below the 4.15 m legal maximum

If you are renting a truck for a DIY move, check the posted clearance against your truck's height before committing to any route through a rail underpass or Plus 15 crossing. A standard 26-foot moving truck is typically 3.5 to 4.0 metres tall. Professional movers know these spots — it is one of the reasons we plan routes in advance.

Truck Routes, Speed Fines, and Moving Truck Rules

Calgary's Truck Route Bylaw (60M90) defines any vehicle over 5,450 kg GVW as a truck. A loaded 26-foot moving truck typically weighs 10,000 to 12,000 kg, which means it must follow designated truck routes for through-travel. Moving trucks are exempt when making deliveries to a residential address — you can drive on residential streets to load or unload — but you must use the truck route network to get between addresses. Maximum fine: $2,500. Trucks in residential areas are also prohibited from idling longer than 20 minutes.

In Alberta construction zones, speed fines are doubled when workers are present. Fines range from $78 to $949 depending on how far over the limit you are. Construction zone speed limits apply 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — not just during active work hours. A 60 km/h sign in a Deerfoot construction zone means 60 km/h at midnight.

Best Time of Day to Move During Construction Season

Calgary's evening rush is dramatically worse than the morning. TomTom data shows 71.2% average congestion during the evening rush versus 48.7% in the morning. At peak evening congestion, it takes more than 24 minutes to drive 10 km. On the worst recorded day (February 5, 2025), congestion hit 160%.

Road construction lane closures in Calgary typically follow a pattern: full closures run 9 PM to 5 AM (night work), off-peak day work runs 9 AM to 3 PM, and most major road work avoids the 7 to 9 AM and 4 to 6 PM rush hours. The best window for a move during construction season is a 7 AM start on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. You get on the road before most construction zones activate and finish before evening traffic peaks. Our best and worst times to move in Calgary guide breaks this down by month and day of week.

Calgary's construction noise bylaw allows work 7 AM to 10 PM Monday through Saturday and 9 AM to 10 PM on Sundays and holidays. If your move falls outside these hours, note that construction zones will still have speed reductions posted but active lane closures may be lifted.

How to Check for Closures on Move Day

Plan your route 48 hours before your move using these resources:

• City of Calgary Capital Works Map — interactive map of all active construction projects, updated monthly

• Waze — Calgary's Traffic Management Centre has shared data directly with Waze since April 2021, pushing construction closures and detours into the app in real time. This direct TMC feed means Waze gets Calgary construction data before Google Maps.

• 511 Alberta — real-time conditions on provincial highways including Deerfoot Trail and Stoney Trail. Also available by calling 511 within Alberta.

• Calgary traffic cameras — live feeds across the city that you can check the morning of your move

Share your route with your moving company in advance. If your move requires street parking in a construction zone, you may need a Street Use Permit ($31.50 per day + GST) — and signage must be placed 12 hours before your move. Our Calgary parking permits guide walks through the full process.

How Construction Zones Affect Your Moving Cost

Moving companies bill by the hour. Every extra hour stuck in construction traffic adds directly to your total. A move through active Deerfoot or Green Line construction zones can add 30 to 60 minutes of transit time per trip — and most moves involve at least two loaded trips between addresses.

Downtown moves already run 15 to 25% more than suburban moves due to elevator fees, parking permits, and building access requirements. Add Stephen Avenue construction and Green Line prep in East Village, and downtown timing becomes critical. Our Calgary moving cost guide breaks down pricing by home size, distance, and add-on services.

Moving to a new-build community? Check our fastest-growing communities guide — communities like Cornerstone, Livingston, and Belmont are still building out road infrastructure, which adds another layer of routing complexity. If you are moving into a condo or apartment, our condo and apartment moving rules guide covers elevator booking and building access requirements.

Calgary Moving Guides

We publish detailed guides for every aspect of moving in Calgary:

• How Much Does It Cost to Move in Calgary?

• Best and Worst Times to Move in Calgary

• Calgary Moving Day Parking Permits

• Calgary Condo and Apartment Moving Rules

• Safest Calgary Neighbourhoods for Families (2026)

• Calgary's Fastest-Growing Communities (2026)

• Calgary Rental Market Guide (2026)

• Moving in Calgary During Winter: The Chinook Factor

• Pre-Move Decluttering in Calgary

• Moving from Calgary to Edmonton: The QE2 Corridor

Plan Your Move Around Construction

Our Calgary moving crews navigate these construction zones every day. We know the detours, the timing windows, and the neighbourhoods where parking is tightest. Get a free moving quote and mention any construction concerns — we will factor them into your move plan. Visit our Calgary location page for service details and contact information.