Summary#

Calgary City Council approved an $8 million capital budget increase for 2026, funded from Developer & Other Contributions. The decision is intended to fund 18 new traffic signals in greenfield communities.

• The money is added to Operational Services’ traffic-signal program budget.
• City staff identified the 18 locations in 2025 and say designs are underway. The work is to use existing staff, internal resources and established contracts.
• Staff say the signals are intended to improve safety and access at intersections as these communities grow.

What it means for you#

• People in greenfield communities: The budget enables the City to install signals at 18 identified intersections in 2026. The supplied material does not name the locations.
• Developers: The decision allocates funding from developer and other contributions. It does not create a new developer payment duty.
• Taxpayers: The funding source is stated as Developer & Other Contributions. The material does not say whether any other City funds will be needed.

Money#

The decision approves a one-time $8 million capital budget increase for 2026.

• The money is to be transferred from Developer & Other Contributions. The report says existing 2026 funding of $1.94 million was not enough for the 18 signals.
• The report gives no separate estimate of the signals’ total cost or of any additional staffing or operating costs. It says existing City staff and resources will be used.

What is unclear#

• The supplied material does not include the attachment listing the 18 locations or the cost of each signal.
• It does not say when construction at each location will begin or finish.
• It does not break down how much of the $8 million comes from developer contributions versus other contributions.

Case for#

• City staff say the signals would provide controlled crossings for vehicles and pedestrians and improve access to schools, transit, parks and recreation facilities.
• Staff say the funding would allow installation in 2026; without it, installation would be deferred until budget became available in 2027.
• Staff warn that delays could mean higher future construction and materials costs, and could prevent developers from opening roadways as planned.

Case against#

• The material does not provide the 18 locations or site-by-site costs, making it hard to assess how the $8 million would be distributed.
• No public engagement was undertaken, and the supplied material records no opposing views.