Airport inks tunnel deal with city

The Calgary Airport Authority has agreed to let the city build a tunnel under its new runway, officials announced Friday.

Officials with the city and the airport reached an agreement in principle that will see the contentious tunnel built in conjunction with the runway project, which is already underway.

The runway's construction forced the closure of Barlow Trail between 48th Avenue and Airport Road N.E. last month.

During negotiations that lasted several months, airport officials stipulated that they would allow the tunnel's construction only if the city committed to additional interchanges adjacent to it.

The costs for those were not factored in to the $295 million budget approved by council in February, and the province rejected a request to help with extra funding.

On Friday the city proposed going ahead with the tunnel now and completing the additional interchanges — one at 19th Street and one at Barlow Trail — at a later date.

Airport officials agreed in principle on Friday to that plan.

The tunnel is the "most viable way to provide future LRT to the airport terminal from the northeast LRT line," city officials said in written release.

A final agreement is expected to be in place by mid-June. Construction on the tunnel will begin this summer.