Description
Stage 3 of the James Walker Trail (JWT) will extend the current roadway to connect with the Southbow development, eventually linking to Highway 22. This part of the project involves building a 2-lane road over an estimated 1.5 km stretch. The Town of Cochrane is responsible for this section, which is expected to be completed over two construction seasons (2025/2026). The remaining 1 km of this phase will be developed by Qualico Communities.
Background
The James Walker Trail project is planned in four stages. Stages 1 and 2, completed in 2018 and 2020, involved the reconstruction of Griffin Road and the creation of connections to the new Jack Tennant Memorial Bridge. Stage 3 is divided into two segments: the Town of Cochrane will handle 1.5 km of construction, while Qualico Communities will oversee 1 km within the Southbow Landing area. Stage 4, a future expansion to a 4-lane road, is planned for the future based on population growth in the area.
Project updates
October 2025:
As part of the James Walker Trail (JWT) Stage 3 project, the Town of Cochrane is performing essential modification to the sanitary force main - the pipeline that transports our wastewater to Calgary for treatment.
What we are doing and why:
We need to lower a section of the existing pipeline to meet the design requirements for the JWT Stage 3 road project.
In anticipation of the Town's future growth, we are also proactively installing a second, "twinned" pipeline in this section now. This will avoid the need for more construction disruption later when the Town's population requires the extra capacity.
Work details:
To complete this work, the flow of wastewater to Calgary must be temporarily shut off.
- When: Work will begin in the early morning hours of Monday, November 4 and should be completed that day.
- Wastewater storage: During this period, all wastewater will be safely stored at the transfer station overflow cell until the work is complete.
- Haul trucks will be on-site to transfer any wastewater retained in the section of the pipeline being lowered to the wastewater transfer station.
- After the work is complete, regular construction activities for JWT Stage 3 will continue as usual.
This work is weather-dependent. The schedule may also change if our crews encounter certain unexpected ground conditions.
Update Spring 2025:
Important traffic update for gravel hauling
There will be no access to the Heidelberg gravel pit via James Walker Trail at Highway 22. Gravel hauling trucks will instead be rerouted to travel along Griffin Road.
• Please Note: Gravel trucks are not permitted to use River Heights Drive. Enforcement will be in place and violators will be ticketed.
• Expect Slight Traffic Increases on Griffin Road
As a result of this change, there may be a modest increase in truck traffic on Griffin Road. We understand the importance of maintaining safe and efficient traffic flow and are actively planning for the future.
Planning for the future: Griffin Road functional study
A Griffin Road functional study is currently underway. This study will help determine future right-of-way needs and evaluate opportunities to upgrade Griffin Road to four lanes from Riverside Place to Griffin Industrial Point, with the goal of also including bike lanes and multi-modal transportation options.
Thanks for your patience as we get this work underway. We're focused on building infrastructure that meets today’s needs and supports Cochrane’s future growth.
How does this project benefit the community?
This project will enhance traffic flow across Cochrane by improving connectivity between the northern and southern parts of the community. By linking the Southbow development to key roadways, it will support future growth and development, improving access for residents and making navigation within the town easier. The phased infrastructure improvements will also provide long-term solutions to accommodate increased traffic as Cochrane grows, creating a more efficient and accessible road network for residents and businesses alike.
