The developer says the nervy moments on meeting the deadline were greatest at the very beginning. "The challenges started early," says Jack Matthews of Matthews Development, "we thought we had about twelve months to get what we call the bridge done, and by the time the legal stuff was completed we had about ten months left."

Throughout the year long build to get the roadway in place and avoid city imposed penalties, rumours abounded that Calgary's weather and labour market would ultimately prove too obstructive to meet the deadline. "We heard rumours almost weekly once it was shut down that they weren't going to be able to make it." said the city's General Manager of Development David Watson, adding 'the city is really excited to see it open.'

The road won't open to public traffic until after the parade Friday.