City closes 4 lanes on Ninth Avenue, choking off traffic into downtown for long weekend

Traffic slows to a trickle on Ninth Avenue Sunday, where 4 lanes have been closed for road repairs. (Darren Wright, CTV Calgary)

If you think traffic jams should be non-existent downtown on a long weekend, don’t try to use Ninth Avenue this weekend.

The City of Calgary has closed four lanes at Ninth Avenue and 11 Street, creating a logjam for everyone coming into downtown from Bow Trail.

One lane remains open, slowing traffic to a trickle.

It’s also creating a chokepoint for traffic hoping to merge onto Ninth Avenue from 14 Street because that exit has been closed.

The city suggests using an alternative route.

The Bow Trail Connector will be open for eastbound traffic throughout the long weekend.

Westbound lanes reopen Tuesday morning at 5 a.m.

There were also reports Saturday of visitors to Otafest at Telus Convention Centre who struggled to make their connections downtown due to the closure of the C Train along 7th Avenue this weekend.

For more information about downtown road closures, go here.