Design versus Planning

Presented by: Bill Kenny, Director, Highway

Design, Project Management and Training
Section, Technical Standard Branch
What is the difference between Design and
Planning?
Objectives purpose
Time Frame
Design Parameters
Tools
Output - documentation
Case Study Bergthal Road Interchange on
Highway 2.

Red Deer

Didsbury

Bergthal Road

Carstairs
Calgary
Functional Planning Study

2008, a FPS by Hwy 2

consultant at the
proposed interchange
location;
Highway 2 between
Calgary and Edmonton,
freeway standard;
Projected AADT in Bergthal
the year of 2026 Road
Functional Planning Study (Cont)
Functional Planning Study (Cont)

Northbound
Functional Planning Study (Cont)

Southbound
Functional Planning Study (Cont)

Westbound
Functional Planning Study (Cont)

Eastbound
Functional Planning Study (Cont)
Functional Planning Study (Cont)

Ultimate stage layout and

ramp terminal intersection
layout WSB&ENB LT
bays on Bergthal Road;
Functional Planning Study (Cont)

Cost Estimates:
Stage 1 Flyover: $28.6 million;
Stage 2 Diamond: additional $12.2 million, and
Ultimate Stage Parclo A: additional $15.6 million
In total CAD $56.4 million in 2007 dollars
 AT Detailed Design

Based on the projected

AADT, simple diamond
interchange works well
after 20 years. Stop-
controlled intersections at
ramp terminals.
In the long term,
dumbbell interchange with
2-lane roundabout at each
ramp terminal.
 AT Detailed Design (Cont)

Narrow the structure

width;
Purchase enough land
to accommodate the
future dumbbell
interchange footprint;
Roundabouts are safer
if signals are required in
the long term
AT Detailed Design (Cont)

Construction cost estimate:

Common excavation: 381,000 m3;
Borrow excavation: 794,000 m3;
GBC: 86,000 t;
ACP: 35,000 t;
Total cost: 22 millions in 2011 CAD, compared to the FPS
28.6 millions for the flyover in stage one; 40.8 millions for the
simple diamond interchange; and 56.4 millions for the Parclo
A interchange
AT Detailed Design (Cont)
 QUESTIONS?

Basic layout and land acquisition

protects for future growth.
Lesson Learned

Plan and Design according to the travel demand;

Design must meet current Design Guidelines;
Apply Economic Analysis principles to design;
Negotiate/agree with landowners at Planning stage;
Do more detailed geotechnical study at Planning stage to
avoid long distance borrow sites.
Highway 63 Twinning
- differences between planning and design
Due to low AADT and budget constraint
Defer service roads
Allow direct access temporarily
Eliminate cross-overs
Eliminate intersection treatments for single use
accesses
Minimize realignment to reduce utility relocations
Reduce roadway width
Proposed width at time of construction = 12.4m
Width after one 80 mm overlay
Conclusion

Designers need to re-examine findings in planning

study.
Look for efficiencies while preserving:
safety,
functionality and
flexibility for unpredictable future developments.
Questions?