Expressways in Calgary are designed with strict guidelines, ensuring uniformity and consistency to the motorist. Some features of the expressway system are:
- 100 km/h design speed, generally posted at 80 km/h
- maximum grade of 6%, minimum grade of 0.6%
- sage curves K = 25 min., 50 desirable
- crest curves K= 70 min., 110 desirable
- divided 4 lanes (3.75 m) with a 6.0 m grassed median and
- 3.0 m paved inside shoulder, 61 m ROW
- 5.4 m vertical clearance
- only intersections with freeways, other expressways or major roadways.
- interchanges where two expressways meet (or reserved ROW for future interchanges.)
- curbed right hand side with a large grassed berm
- acceleration and deceleration lanes to and from the expressway.
- slotted left turn bays
- advanced directional signage
Exceptions to these usually occur on Major Expressways, which are projected to become full freeways in the future.
The following are pictures from Country Hills Blvd, which is designated as Expressway from Shaganappi Trail to Beddington Trail. Taken: July 2002
Approaching Country Hills Blvd expressway from 14th Street NW.
A view of the traffic light configuration on the expressway, with the slotted left turn bays.
A view of the deceleration lane comming off the expressway. This ramp meets the arterial with a yield sign.
Looking down the expressway. Most expressways are posted at 80 km/h.
An overview of the intersection.
Approaching the cross street (14th Street NW), you can see the directional signage in the median and the deceleration lane on the right.
A view of the acceleration lane going on to the expressway.
Major roadways
A view of the landscaped Boulevard. Most new majors are posted at 60 km/h.
Major roadways join collectors and local roads to expressways and freeways. Like expressways, newly constructed majors are also designed to consistent standards. Features of major roads are:
- chanelized right turn bays comming off the arterial.
- divided 4 lanes (or more) with a raised grassed median.
- landscaped walkways on the side
- generally no frontage, with the exception of certain commercial and institutional access
- advanced directional signage
The following are more pictures from Country Hills Blvd, this time West of Shagnanappi Trail, where it is designated as "major".
Taken: July 2002
A collector road crossing the major with the right turn bays.
This is how it looks from the collector road. Notice there is no right turn bay going this way.
