James Walker Trail
Update: May 31 2025
James Walker Stage 3 – NEW Update from the town of Cochrane
The Town of Cochrane is moving forward with the construction of James Walker Trail – Stage 3, with work beginning shortly. Most of the construction will take place in green-field areas and is not expected to impact nearby roadways or local residences.
Important Traffic Update
With construction starting, as of May 1, 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.
Future Planning
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.
Update: January 2025
James Walker Stage 3 Update
We are pleased to share the latest updates regarding the James Walker Trail (JWT) Stage 3 project, which is moving forward with construction slated to begin in spring 2025.
Project Status & Timeline
The Town has tendered its portion of the project, and contractors are currently preparing their proposals. We anticipate the selection process will be finalized this winter, allowing formal work to begin in the spring. The Town will share more details with the community association as the project progresses.
Meanwhile, Qualico is finalizing their design drawings for their portion of the project. They will work closely with the Town and their contractor to coordinate efforts, ensuring smooth collaboration. Please note that recent amendments presented to Council related to the Southbow Neighbourhood Plan and land use do not impact the construction of JWT Stage 3. Qualico remains committed to completing their part of the project.
Scope of Work
As confirmed in the November 7th update to the RCA, the right of way for JWT will be graded for four lanes. However, only two lanes will be paved in Stage 3, with the remaining lanes to be paved in the future as the community develops and traffic volumes increase.
It’s important to note that this project is not just about paving. There is significant complexity involved, including the lowering of the Town's sanitary force main to Calgary, a critical piece of infrastructure. Additionally, the grade change between the Riviera roundabout and Southbow requires substantial material to meet the desired final grades. This is a major infrastructure project that goes beyond the typical roadwork.
Project Duration
Construction is expected to take place over two construction seasons, with the full project anticipated to be completed and operational by 2026.
The Town will share further updates with the Riversong Community Association as construction gets underway. We will continue to update this page as we receive this information.