South Shore Drive Closure – Completed
Great news, Chestermere!
Our new intersection at South Shore Drive and Rainbow Road has officially opened! As of October 21, 2024, the intersection is fully accessible and the temporary detour has been lifted. These improvements include significant enhancements designed to improve safety and optimize traffic flow at this busy crossing.
These improvements include significant enhancements designed to improve safety and optimize traffic flow at this busy crossing
As a reminder, the construction phase for the new Rainbow Road Bridge is still not complete. The City’s contractor will continue their construction activities including sidewalk construction, access paths, demobilization from the southwest side of the bridge; preparing for the demolishing of the old existing bridge, landscaping work (weather dependant), and other miscellaneous items that may be required to finish the project in timely manner. Click here to visit the Rainbow Road Bridge Project Page.
April 18th, 2024 Project Update
The City of Chestermere is pleased to share the recommencement of construction activities on the Rainbow Road Twinning Project, beginning the last week of April. After a brief pause due to winter seasonal considerations, we are now prepared to resume our efforts to enhance the infrastructure of our community and complete the project as planned.
The Rainbow Road Twinning project aims to improve connectivity, safety, and overall efficiency for all residents and commuters who rely on this vital transportation artery. This phase has been carefully planned with a focus on sustainability, minimizing disruptions, and ensuring the highest standards of construction quality.
As we move forward, we recognize the importance of keeping the community informed and engaged throughout the construction process. We will continue to provide regular updates on project milestones, timelines, and any potential impacts on local traffic patterns.
Additionally, we remain committed to addressing any concerns or questions that may arise from members of the community. Your feedback is valuable to us, and we encourage you to reach out to our project team with any inquiries at pmo@chestermere.ca
We understand that construction projects can sometimes be inconvenient, but we firmly believe that the long-term benefits of the Rainbow Road Twinning project will far outweigh any temporary disruptions. Together, we are building a stronger, more resilient community for generations to come.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we work to enhance our infrastructure and improve the quality of life for everyone in our community.
The City of Chestermere has begun construction on Rainbow Road to expand the roadway from its current two-lane configuration to a four lane arterial cross section, complete with a median, left turn bays and channelized right turn at the intersections. It will also include a multi-use pathway and a two-lane roundabout at the intersection with Merganser Drive. The Rainbow Road Expansion project will add vehicular capacity on Rainbow Road from Merganser Drive to Waterford Boulevard. The anticipated completion of this project is August 2024.
Project Scope
Spanning from Merganser Drive to Waterford Boulevard, the scope of the Rainbow Road Expansion Project includes:
• Addition of two lanes between Merganser Drive and Waterford Boulevard.
• Addition of left turn bays in both the northbound and southbound directions at 4 intersections.
• Construction of a two-lane roundabout at the intersection of Rainbow Road and Merganser Drive.
• Addition of a multi-use pathway on the west side of Rainbow Road along with landscaping work.
• New street lighting system.
Timelines
Phase 1 (Completed)
- Construction for this phase began in July 2023 and was completed in December 2023.
- Work completed in this phase included the construction and paving of two driving lanes, the building of the roundabout with partial completion of concrete work and the rebuilding of intersections within the project limits.
Phase 2 (Ongoing)
- Construction began in April 2024 and is anticipated for completion in August 2024 (weather permitting).
- Work to be completed in this phase includes street light installation in the median, the building of a multi-use pathway along the west side of Rainbow Road, roundabout work on the east side of the Rainbow Road and Merganser Drive intersection.
- Additionally, placement of the final pavement lift along with line painting will be completed on the road structure and the traffic light at West Lakeview Drive intersection will be replaced.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is this construction happening?
A: The Rainbow Road Expansion Project will add vehicular capacity on Rainbow Road from Merganser Drive to Waterford Boulevard while improving infrastructure in the area
Q: How long will construction take?
A: Phase 1 of this project was completed in December 2023, with Phase 2 set to be completed in August 2024 (weather permitting).
Q: Will there be any closures to Rainbow Road?
A: Road closures will occur during construction to facilitate project completion. Road closures will be shared on the project webpage at https://thecityofchestermere.ca/rainbow-road-project-recommencement/.