With 2026 Calgary Stampede in the books, downtown construction ramps up

The Calgary Municipal Land Corporation says road closures will be in place next week as construction ramps up against on several projects, including Calgary's new arena, Scotia Place. (File)

Now that the Calgary Stampede’s crowds have died down, construction crews are back at work in the downtown core.

The Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC) says construction is picking up again on the city’s new event centre, so residents should expect to see delays.

These include temporary lane reductions, street and sidewalk closures as work continues on Calgary’s new arena, Scotia Place.

“Construction on Scotia Place will continue to advance through 2026, with periodic lane and sidewalk closures expected,” CMLC said in a news release.

“As work resumes in mid-July, intermittent multi-lane closures will be in place on 12 Avenue S.E. between Sixth Street S.E. and Stampede Trail S.E. until late July.”

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Other projects currently underway include Stampede Park’s Autograph Collection Hotel, the Sixth Street S.E. underpass and infrastructure improvements in Calgary’s culture and entertainment district.

CMLC says lighting upgrades at the 25 Avenue S.E. connector have been completed, as well as necessary upgrades to 14 Avenue S.E, but more work is expected on that road.

“Streetscape and roadway enhancements will take place on 14 Avenue S.E. and 5A Street S.E. to create a cohesive public realm experience and multi-modal travel lanes will support district connectivity, with added lane-reversal infrastructure on 5A Street S.E.,” CMLC said.

Additional work is also expected on Flores LaDue Parade to improve event traffic capacity.

Road and sidewalk closures will take place in the area from July 20 through the fall.

Work on the Sixth Street S.E. will allow for the road to accommodate four vehicle lanes and dedicated pedestrian sidewalks on either side, along with a multi-use pathway along the east side.

While the bulk of the work is ongoing, traffic in the area will be affected, CMLC said.

“Starting July 20 until mid-September 2026, Sixth Street S.E. between 11 Avenue and 12 Avenue S.E. (south of CPKC Rail) will be fully closed, with lane reductions at the intersections of 11 Avenue and 12 Avenue S.E.”

Lane reductions along Ninth Avenue S.E. are also expected to remain in place for the rest of the year.

Further details about Calgary’s downtown construction projects can be found on the CMLC’s website.