The City of Calgary and the Alberta government held a grand opening on Thursday for one of the recently completed legs of Stoney Trail, which connects the Trans-Canada Highway to Old Banff Coach Road and Bow Trail in a 4 km stretch of new freeway.

This sets the stage for the final phase of construction to bring Stoney Trail from Bow Trail to Highway 8, which is set to be completed next year. Once completed, Calgary will be surrounded by a 101 km long multi-lane freeway that has been in the works for over a decade.

Devin Dreeshen, Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors, spoke at the grand opening by saying that "for the first time, [west and southwest] communities will now have a direct connection to the Trans-Canada and the northwest Stoney Trail".

Demetrios Nicolaides, the MLA for Calgary-Bow shared his excitement about the project as well, both as an MLA, and as a resident of the community near the new road that will finally bring them closer with the city.

"As a resident of West Springs and of the community, I know firsthand how much we've been waiting for this road to be completed, for these new exchanges and bridges to be opened, but most importantly of all, to help us get to the places that we need to go as quick as possible," Nicolaides said.

Calgary's ring road has always been about connecting the entire city and making travel easier, according to Sonya Sharp, Ward 1 Councilor for the City of Calgary.

"This is more than just a road, it's support for economic growth. It makes Calgary more accessible to tourists and brings our communities closer together. Our communities, businesses, and amenities that are on the very edge of the city limits, are now more connected than ever to the city," Sharp said.

Listen to the radio feature below: