McKenzie Towne roundabout redesigned from confusing two-lane to spiral configuration
The infamous five-spoke traffic circle that's generated hundreds of complaints will be reconfigured to guide drivers into the correct lane before entering.
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Calgary's most notorious roundabout is getting a major redesign. The McKenzie Towne traffic circle, installed in 1999 as one of Canada's first multi-lane roundabouts, will be reconfigured from a conventional two-lane layout to a spiral configuration that guides drivers into the correct lane before entering and keeps them there until their exit.
Area Councillor Mike Jamieson described the current layout as confusing. "If you spent two hours there during rush hour on any day, I'm very confident you'd see a near miss," Jamieson said. The roundabout has generated hundreds of complaints to the city and Ward 12 office over the years, with contradicting views among drivers about how it's supposed to be used.
The roundabout serves southeast communities including New Brighton, Copperfield, and Mahogany that rely on it to access Deerfoot Trail. A 2019 city traffic study showed roughly 16,500 cars and 318 pedestrians use it per day. Despite its reputation, the roundabout has consistently recorded fewer collisions than comparable four-way traffic signals — less than four per cent of collisions result in injury compared to nearly 10 per cent at conventional intersections.
Former Ward 12 councillor Evan Spencer published a navigation guide on the city website in 2023 with colour-coded arrows, but Jamieson said education and signage have not improved safety. "No matter how many guides or signs you put out, people have a different interpretation of how it's supposed to be used or who gets the right of way," Jamieson said.
What is the budget and projected completion date for the redesign?
How many collisions have occurred at the roundabout in the year before the 2019 study?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
The facts
What configuration will replace the current McKenzie Towne roundabout?
A spiral configuration will replace the current two-lane layout. The new design guides drivers into the correct lane before entering and keeps them there until their exit.
How many vehicles use the McKenzie Towne roundabout daily?
Roughly 16,500 cars and 318 pedestrians use the McKenzie Towne roundabout per day, according to a 2019 city traffic study.
When was the McKenzie Towne roundabout originally installed?
The McKenzie Towne roundabout was installed in 1999 as one of Canada's first multi-lane roundabouts.
How does the McKenzie Towne roundabout's collision rate compare to conventional intersections?
The McKenzie Towne roundabout has recorded fewer collisions than comparable four-way traffic signals, with less than four per cent of collisions resulting in injury compared to nearly 10 per cent at conventional intersections.
