City of Airdrie hosts ribbon-cutting ceremony for new Luxstone Tunnel.  

The City of Airdrie unveiled the new Luxstone Tunnel to be open to the public today, after 8 months of construction.   

“This project has been in the works for a while and I’m so happy to see it completed,” said Airdrie Mayor Peter Brown. “This tunnel will provide improved connection for our city and better rail safety, which is of the utmost importance for our community. 

The pre-existing Luxstone drainage culvert was retrofitted to improve pedestrian access, will have improved lighting, and be passable year-round. 

The pedestrian tunnel connects the community of Luxstone and Nose Creek Park.  

Mayor Brown also stated the community has been eagerly waiting for the completion of the project. One Airdronian in particular, who has been ecstatic about the completion, was invited to the event. 

Adrianus Van Kessel has been asking for this tunnel for 9 and a half years.

Adrianus Van Kessel posing with the brand new city tunnel.

“I used to come down here and watch the progress when it was started. I wasn’t happy, until today”. 

Van Kessel has been persistent in the development of the tunnel, so much so, that he has had constant communication with the Mayor regarding the project.   

“I used to call him and call him asking when are they going to start the flood gate and tunnel!?”  

Van Kessel says not having the tunnel was unsafe for him, as he can’t take his scooter on the road, and in the winter and it was too cold to get to the other side of town. It would take him 30-45 minutes just to get to the other side.  

“Canadian Pacific was pleased to assist the City of Airdrie in making these needed improvements to the Luxstone pedestrian tunnel, which will improve safety and accessibility for all,” said Pete Bayerle, Senior Manager, Projects & Public Works at Canadian Pacific.  

“After 18 months of design and construction, we’re opening the tunnel in collaboration with CPR,” said Adam Carroll, Project Manager, Capital Projects. 

The City of Airdrie would like to thank Canadian Pacific Rail for their collaboration.