Drivers in Chestermere, Alberta, will face lane reductions and traffic delays starting August 5, 2026, as the city kicks off the long-awaited widening of Chestermere Boulevard. The work will stretch from Range Road 284 to Rainbow Road South and is not expected to wrap up until November 30, 2026. Speeds will be reduced to 50 km/hr through the construction zone, and residents are being told to plan for alternate routes.
According to the City of Chestermere, Phase 1 runs August 5 to 7. Crews will be removing the median at the intersection of Chestermere Boulevard and Dawson Drive, which means both westbound and eastbound left lanes will be shut down during that short window. Merganser Drive and Dawson Drive entrances and exits will remain open for now.
Phase 2 begins August 7 and lasts the rest of the project. The biggest change for locals is that Merganser Drive will become a one-way entrance only: you can turn in from Chestermere Boulevard, but you will not be able to exit back out. Dawson Drive will keep two-way entry and exit. Traffic control will be in place throughout, and drivers should expect slowdowns and detours.
The expansion is meant to address Chestermere’s rapid growth. The city’s population jumped from 22,163 in the 2021 census to an estimated 33,295 in 2026, with much of that growth west of Chestermere Lake near the boulevard. Chestermere council has been vocal about the need to widen this key commuter route to Calgary. Earlier this year, council unanimously backed a motion for Mayor Shannon Dean to press Calgary for faster upgrades to the joint corridor.
Chestermere-Strathmore MLA Chantelle de Jonge has also pushed for the work, warning that the road “cannot sustain current levels of traffic without causing significant delays and an increased risk of accidents, potentially resulting in serious harm.” The project includes underground and surface works alongside the road widening. Residents are encouraged to check the city’s road reports page for updates as construction progresses.
