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Lau noted the province is also considering variable speed limits for parts of the QEII Highway between Calgary and Edmonton, though the concept remains in its early stages.

In addition to studying variable speed limits and the requisite message boards, the province is also considering ramp metering, which would see traffic signals on on-ramps to reduce the flow of traffic onto Deerfoot during periods of high congestion.

“They would only release traffic when there are gaps in traffic flow to allow for it,” said Lau, adding that adopting dedicated carpool lanes on Deerfoot would be another way to improve flow by potentially taking more cars off the road.

Lau noted whichever improvements and innovations are ultimately adopted, Deerfoot will always be a magnet for gridlock given its importance in Calgary’s transportation network.

“People do need to temper their expectations,” he said.

“Deerfoot will never be free-flowing. It’s always going to be bad.”

Calgary Coun. Shane Keating, who chairs the city’s transportation committee, said Deerfoot has been in desperate need of improvements to alleviate congestion for years, so any innovation to help improve traffic flow is welcome.

“I’m for anything that will work until we do a final fix on Deerfoot,” he said.

“We do know we can’t keep making more and more lanes and expect the problem to alleviate itself.”

Keating noted that beyond a few hours every day when Deerfoot sees traffic grind into a daily crunch, it remains “a pretty good road.” So if tinkering with speed limits and restricting the level of access can improve its flow, he hopes it will improve the sometimes dim outlook commuters feel toward the freeway.