The 23 Avenue Interchange is entering the last major phase of its construction. By next Friday, Calgary Trail and Gateway Boulevard, north and south of the interchange will close to traffic until construction wraps up in September.

"By moving the traffic up over top of where the paving is taking place, we will be able to get the work on Calgary Trail and Gateway Boulevard done as quickly and safely as possible, while still maintaining the north/south flow of traffic through the corridor," said Byron Nicholson, director of roadways construction with the Capital Construction Department.

The city wants motorists to be aware that by next Friday after 10 p.m., Calgary Trail and Gateway Boulevard will be closed on ground level north and south of the 23 Avenue Interchange, and throughout this time period, traffic will be shifted over the interchange via the southbound ramps for Calgary Trail, and the northbound ramps for Gateway Boulevard.

Commuters are also being advised:

  • Traffic over the ramps will be directed through traffic signals, but there will be four lanes available in each direction: two dedicated through lanes, one dedicated left turn lane, and one through/left turn lane.
  • Traffic signal timing will be adjusted to improve traffic flow through the area.
  • To access South Edmonton Common from Calgary Trail, you must use the 23 Avenue Interchange southbound ramp and continue onto 23 Avenue or onto the 19 Avenue overpass.
  • Westbound and eastbound traffic movements across the 23 Avenue Interchange will not change.
  • Northbound access from 23 Avenue to Gateway Boulevard and southbound access from 23 Avenue to Calgary Trail will not change.

The city says they don't expect major delays, but the closure means an average of 100,000 vehicles per day will have to be diverted.

"That's going to be a huge inconvenience for a lot of people," said driver Maria Erno.

Officials say next Friday's closure is weather dependent. By winter, all the lanes will be open to traffic. Next summer, the city will do the landscaping and the project will finally be complete.

The city began construction on the 23 Ave. interchange back in 2007 when city council approved the $260 million project.

This is just one of the major construction zones in and around the city that should be free and clear to traffic come the fall. Other major projects include the widening of the Quesnell Bridge, and a number of new interchanges on the Henday.

With files from Sean Amato