Highway 1A Improvements

DESCRIPTION

The Highway 1A improvements Project is a long-awaited upgrade to the Highway 1A corridor through Cochrane from east of Centre Avenue to west of Fifth Avenue. The project includes: 

• widening from two lanes to four lanes from east of Centre Avenue to west of Fifth Avenue
• realignment of Fourth Ave to Fifth Ave
• new access, parking and turning lanes for Sixth Ave W businesses
• improved pedestrian network with a new sidewalk and a paved multi-use pathway

BACKGROUND

Widening highway 1A has long been a priority for both the Province and Town of Cochrane and is an important piece of Cochrane’s Traffic Plan. This project was approved in the fall of 2020, as Council recognized an opportunity to utilize Provincial grant funding to support these roadway improvements. 

When complete, it will provide a much-needed improvement to the highway corridor that is experiencing heavy congestion for both local and regional users. The project will also include additional pathways and crosswalks, ensuring a safer experience for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists. 

View the full project on our interactive map built by Cochrane GIS

LOCATION

Highway 1A corridor through Cochrane from east of Centre Avenue to west of Fifth Avenue.

UPDATES 

June 2-June 12: New traffic lights installed. Paving underway on the new connection for the 4th Ave to 5th Ave roadway alignment. Pedestrians will be able to use the new crosswalks at 5th Avenue.

June 2-4: New traffic lights will be turned on, and southbound traffic (heading down the hill from the tri-school site), will be rerouted to the new roadway alignment.

June 4-9: Traffic will be split with southbound (downhill) traffic using the new roadway and northbound (uphill) traffic using the old 4th Avenue roadway.

June 9-11: Northbound traffic (heading up the hill to the tri-school site), will be rerouted to the new alignment. The segment of 4th Ave N south of the wall will be permanently closed to both cars and pedestrians. 

The sidewalk along the new roadway will remain closed until the work on the wall is completed. Map

• May 17, 2023: Watch the project update video here

• May 11, 2023: The sidewalk on Fourth Avenue north will be closed starting the afternoon of May 12 until construction is completed on the new 4^th Avenue alignment. Please use the pedestrian detour through Kerfoot Park.

• Nov 22, 2022: Watch the flyover video to see what it looks like!

SCHEDULE

• Construction commenced: June 2021 
• Estimated completion: 2023

BUDGET

Total project budget: $27.2M 

• Phase 1: $15.9M 
• Phase 2: $11.4M

HOW WILL THIS PROJECT BENEFIT THE COMMUNITY?

Traffic on the hill and along Highway 1A continues to challenge our community. When complete, this work paves the way for streamlined traffic flow along Highway 1A and through the Highway 1A/22 interchange. 

STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT

This project supports Council's strategic priority of community connectivity, and specifically, advocating for Highway 1A improvements within the Town boundaries, including Centre Avenue and 5th Avenue intersections.