Overview of Terwillegar Drive at Rainbow Valley

Upgrades to the Whitemud Drive/Terwillegar Drive interchange are a part of the Terwillegar Drive Expansion Program.

Project Update - April 2026

Stage Two is nearing completion. Construction on the westbound Rainbow Valley Bridge is now complete. Traffic has been shifted to the completed bridge to accommodate ongoing work on the eastbound Rainbow Valley Bridge, which is expected to be finished in 2026.

Work continues across the corridor to improve traffic flow, transit reliability and active transportation connections.

Ongoing and Upcoming Work

Several interchange improvements on Whitemud Drive/Terwillegar Drive have been completed, including:

  • Widening of the westbound Whitemud Drive to southbound Terwillegar Drive loop ramp
  • Widening of the northbound Terwillegar Drive to eastbound Whitemud Drive ramp
  • Paving and landscaping for these areas will take place in 2026. 

Additional interchange work includes:

  • Partial ramp widening from northbound Terwillegar Drive to northbound Whitemud Drive and southbound Whitemud Drive to southbound Terwillegar Drive
  • Widening of Whitemud Drive to four lanes in each direction between Terwillegar Drive and 122 Street, now complete, with final paving and landscaping scheduled for 2026
  • Completion of the westbound Whitemud Drive/122 Street ramp, with final paving in 2026. Construction of the eastbound ramp will begin in 2026.

Active transportation improvements: 

  • The Rainbow Valley Pedestrian Bridge is nearing completion and will open in summer 2026.
  • A new pedestrian/cyclist bridge over Whitemud Drive near 142 Street is nearing completion and will also be open in summer 2026
  • Shared pathways through Rainbow Valley will open in summer 2026, improving connections to nearby trails and communities

Transit improvements:

  • A new bus-only lane from 53 Avenue to Terwillegar Drive, bypassing the Terwillegar Drive/Whitemud Drive interchange is complete.
  • A southbound bus stop will be provided at 53 Avenue for Route 31 Leger starting in June 2026. Future service information will be shared on Transit.

 As part of the project, the retaining walls are complete and the noise wall (southbound Whitemud Drive, 47A Avenue to 45 Avenue) was completed in 2025.

About the Project

Stage Two consists of Terwillegar Drive and Whitemud Drive Interchange upgrades including major construction on Rainbow Valley Bridge and the widening of Whitemud Drive. Construction is underway to alleviate congestion,  accommodate current and planned transit services, and enhance existing active transportation connections to provide all users with a safe and efficient route.

  • Rehabilitating and widening the Rainbow Valley Bridge to 4 lanes in each direction
  • Whitemud Drive/Terwillegar Drive interchange upgrades:
    • Widening the westbound Whitemud Drive to southbound Terwillegar Drive loop ramp
    • Widening the northbound Terwillegar Drive to eastbound Whitemud Drive ramp
    • Partial ramp widening: northbound Terwillegar Drive to northbound Whitemud Drive and southbound Whitemud Drive to southbound Terwillegar Drive
  • Whitemud Drive widening to 4 lanes in each direction between Terwillegar Drive and 122 Street
  • A bus-only lane from 53 Avenue to Terwillegar Drive, bypassing the Terwillegar Drive/Whitemud Drive interchange
  • Active transportation:
  • Retaining walls
  • Noise wall (southbound Whitemud Drive, 47A Avenue to 45 Avenue)
  • Tree impacts and preservation