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 

• May 20, 2022:  To accommodate traffic flow through our community over the long weekend, work that will directly block traffic will be paused. Work will continue on the side of the highways as required.

A great deal of work is underway on HWY 1A, the following will occur over the next few weeks, please note that this work is weather dependent and specific dates may shift as a result:

• May 20: New right turn lane off HWY 1A onto 4th Ave northbound before the lights has been constructed and is scheduled to be paved next week with an anticipated opening date of May 30. 

• May 24-June 1 : Paving Centre Ave intersection and westbound HWY 1A lanes.

• May 24-June 15: The traffic pattern will be shifted to the north on HWY 1A at the Centre Ave intersection while a new signal base is installed on the south side of Hwy 1A.

• May 24-June 3: Overnight closures (3 nights) on HWY 1A from 4th Ave to 5th Ave to install water and sanitary lines. During these overnight closures there will be a detour in place and flaggers to direct traffic. Detour route maps and specific dates will be provided once determined.

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• May 11, 2022: As a result of traffic impacts due to one southbound lane open on Fourth Avenue, school buses are being rerouted to Retreat Rd. This access is only open to buses during these peak hours. A crossing guard is now in place at the corner of Fourth Avenue and HWY 1A to ensure students and pedestrians cross safely. Traffic signals continue to be re-timed to accommodate the lane closure.

• May 6, 2022: Starting Monday, May 9 the right-turn/through lane on southbound 4th Avenue will be closed for approximately 4 weeks as ATCO Gas completes a pipeline move to support the HWY 1A improvements project. 

  
  

• Nov 2021: Release: First Phase of Highway 1A Project Complete

• Sep 2021: Paving from the east end of the project to Centre Ave began. This aerial video provides a bird’s eye view of the preparation work

• Aug 2021: 2021 Project Progress

• June 2021: Cochrane and the Province celebrate the sod turning

• Watch the flyover video to see what it looks like!

SCHEDULE

• Construction commenced: June 2021 
• Estimated completion: Fall 2022

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.