At his annual State of Cochrane Address earlier this year, Mayor Jeff Genung addressed concerns surrounding the town’s rapid growth, emphasizing infrastructure over population pressure.
“I think we have less of a growth problem than we do maybe a congestion problem,” Genung said. “If we can get ahead of our infrastructure, our roads, the pathways, and people can run into each other and can actually say ‘hello,’ then I think we are starting to do it right.”
That effort to get ahead is well underway, with four major infrastructure projects currently reshaping how residents get around town. From road closures to full conversions, here’s a round-up of what’s happening on Cochrane’s streets:
Glenpatrick Drive Infrastructure Replacement
This extensive infrastructure renewal is replacing aging water, sanitary, storm, and roadway systems along Glenpatrick Drive, from 5th Avenue to the three-way intersection near Glenbow Elementary School.
The project aims to widen roads, improve traffic flow, and enhance safety, with completion targeted for Fall 2026. Current closures include the roundabout at Glenhill Drive, Glenpatrick Crescent, Castle Place, and the Glenpatrick Drive intersection. Detours are in effect.
Township Road 262 Upgrade
Roadwork by Volker Stevin will close Township Road 262 from August 5 to December 15. Local traffic will be detoured via Heritage Boulevard while signage redirects regional traffic to alternate routes.
Horse Creek Sports Park Sewer Connection
Starting the week of July 22, 2025 (weather permitting), construction began on the sanitary sewer main for a future school in the Horse Creek Sports Park. This requires the closure of the intersection at Heritage Boulevard and Horse Creek Road, along with a section of Heritage Boulevard.
The closure is expected to last approximately two weeks. During this time, parking restrictions and a detour will be in place. Traffic on Horse Creek Road will be reduced to one lane in each direction north of Heritage Blvd.
River Avenue Bridge – Pedestrian and Multi-Modal Conversion
As of July 2025, the historic River Avenue Bridge has been permanently closed to regular vehicle traffic and converted into a dedicated active transportation corridor.
The Town of Cochrane has connected River Heights Rise to Riviera Way, providing full public and emergency vehicle access to River Heights Rise through this new route. Meanwhile, the River Avenue Bridge remains open for pedestrians, cyclists, e-scooter users, emergency vehicles, and maintenance crews via a secure gate system.
This change reduces vehicle use on the bridge, decreasing long-term maintenance and extending its lifespan. All residential vehicle traffic previously using River Avenue Bridge must now reroute through Riviera Way.
James Walker Trail – Stage 3
Part of a four-phase plan, Stage 3 of the James Walker Trail project is designed to extend the current roadway to the Southbow development and eventually connect with Highway 22.
Divided between the Town and Qualico Communities, this phase includes 1.5 km of new 2-lane road construction. While the work primarily affects undeveloped land, one notable impact is the closure of access to the Heidelberg gravel pit from James Walker Trail at Highway 22. As a result, gravel hauling trucks are now rerouted along Griffin Road, slightly increasing local traffic.
Trucks are strictly prohibited from using River Heights Drive, and enforcement will be in place to ticket violators. The Town anticipates completion of this phase in the 2026 construction season.
Highway 1A/22 Interchange
In partnership with Alberta Transportation, this is the most impactful roadwork underway in Cochrane. Construction began in May 2023, focusing on:
- Lane expansion on Highway 1A
- Bridge installation over Big Hill Creek
- Overpass structure replacement
- New interchange ramps and roundabouts connecting Highways 1A and 22
Key closures include Range Road 43 at Highway 22 (June 2023) and Ranche Road and RancheHouse Road at Highway 22 (July 2023). In August 2025, the temporary detour roundabout originally opened in 2023 will be fully removed.
Pending weather and other construction factors, the interchange is projected to be completed by Fall 2025, though no firm date has been announced.
As Cochrane continues to grow, these projects aim to lay the groundwork for a more efficient and connected town ensuring that even in the midst of expansion, residents can still slow down, say hello, and enjoy the journey.
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