The Red Line LRT tracks cross over 25 Avenue S.E. at-grade (street level) east of Macleod Trail. As a result, the traffic signals at this intersection are often interrupted by trains travelling to and from the Erlton LRT station. Grade separation of the LRT tracks will eliminate delays to the traffic signals due to the LRT.

Short-term improvements that can be made with little or no construction may be funded through existing City programs. Currently no funding is available for the construction of the final plan.

Through the grade-separation plan, The City hopes to improve travel through this area for people driving, walking, cycling and taking transit. For more information about the project please visit the project webpage.

Phase One: Education and Issues Scoping

In February 2017, citizens were invited to an open house to learn about the project and share their ideas and concerns regarding the study area. They also provided feedback on how they want to participate in the project moving forward. The project team also shared information about the project at Inglewood/Ramsay Coordination events in March 2017. An online survey was available from February 27 - March 13.

To see what information was presented during the Phase One open house, please review the display boards.

A summary of feedback received and verbatim comments received during Phase One are within the What We Heard Report.

In Phase One we asked participants to identify the current issues and concerns they have within the study area. This is what we heard.

COMMUNITY PRIORITIES:
- Pedestrian accommodation, such as new or improved pedestrian infrastructure
- Improved vehicle travel times, including looking at the signal timing and dedicated turn lanes
- Bicycle accommodation, such as new infrastructure or improvements that enhance cycling
- Public transit
- Revitalization of the community

Idea not moving forward

While we heard several ideas for improvements to the study area from the community, there is one idea that we are not moving forward with.

Idea: Put the LRT in a tunnel from Cemetery Hill to north of the Elbow River.

What we heard: Having the LRT in a tunnel will help improve traffic flow.

Why the idea is not moving forward:

• There would be major disruptions to LRT service and traffic flow during construction.
• Construction and maintenance of a tunnel is expensive.

In phase two we shared what we learned in phase one and presented the three preliminary design concepts. The questions asked online can be seen below. A summary of the feedback received and verbatim comments received are within the What We Heard Report.

CONCEPT A

Click images to expand

Concept A: LRT elevated above 25 Avenue S.E.

This concept elevates the LRT tracks as they come out of the existing tunnel. Erlton Station is elevated. A new LRT bridge is built over the Elbow River. All roadways remain at-grade. The east leg of 25 Avenue S. is relocated north of the existing intersection at Macleod Trail.

Benefits

• At-grade pedestrian crossing time is optimized
• Pathway to connect the Elbow River to Reader Rock Garden
• No LRT and vehicle conflict at 25 Avenue S.E. and Macleod Trail
• Accommodates pedestrian bridge from the Anthem development
  

Trade-offs

• Stairs/ramps/elevators required to access LRT station
• Slightly increased travel distance for vehicles travelling 25 Avenue S.
• Slower trains due to curved and elevated LRT tracks
• Major disruptions to LRT service during construction
• Land development is impeded until rail and road realignment are complete
• Elevated LRT station and track re-build is expensive
• This is the most expensive concept

COMMUNITY PRIORITIES (identified in Phase One):
- Pedestrian accommodation, such as new or improved pedestrian infrastructure
- Improved vehicle travel times, including looking at the signal timing and dedicated turn lanes
- Bicycle accommodation, such as new infrastructure or improvements that enhance cycling
- Public transit
- Revitalization of the community

CONCEPT B

Click images to expand

Concept B: 25 Avenue S.E. elevated by ramps above the LRT

This concept does not move the LRT station and tracks. People driving on 25 Avenue S. must use ramps to travel through the area.

Benefits

• At-grade pedestrian crossing time is optimized
• Pathway to connect the Elbow River to Reader Rock Garden
• Removes the LRT and vehicle conflict on 25 Avenue S.E. and Macleod Trail
• Minimal disruption to LRT services
• Land development can occur as opportunity arises
• Can be constructed within the existing road right-of-way
• Least expensive concept

Trade-offs

• Increased travel distance for vehicles travelling 25 Avenue S.
• Elevated ramps may impact development opportunities
• Ramps are inconsistent with the characteristics of Macleod Trail as an Urban Boulevard
• Ramps may conflict with the pedestrian bridge from the Anthem development

COMMUNITY PRIORITIES (identified in Phase One):
- Pedestrian accommodation, such as new or improved pedestrian infrastructure
- Improved vehicle travel times including looking at the signal timing and dedicated turn lanes
- Bicycle accommodation, such as new infrastructure or improvements that enhance cycling
- Public transit
- Revitalization of the community

CONCEPT C

Click to expand images

Concept C: 25 Avenue S.E. and the LRT tracks stay at-grade

This concept leaves the LRT tracks and roads at-grade. Moving the LRT tracks to the east eliminates traffic signal delays at 25 Avenue S.E. and Macleod Trail. The east leg of 25 Avenue S. and Erlton Station are relocated. A new LRT bridge over the Elbow River is required.

Benefits

• At-grade pedestrian crossing time is optimized
• Pathway to connect the Elbow River to Reader Rock Garden
• Removes the LRT and vehicle conflict on 25 Avenue S.E. and Macleod Trail
• Less expensive than elevating the LRT

Trade-offs

• An at-grade LRT crossing on 25 Avenue S.E.
• Slower trains due to curved LRT tracks
• Curved LRT tracks require more maintenance
• Major disruptions to LRT service during construction
• Redevelopment cannot occur until the rail and road are built

COMMUNITY PRIORITIES (identified in Phase One):
- Pedestrian accommodation, such as new or improved pedestrian infrastructure
- Improved vehicle travel times including looking at the signal timing and dedicated turn lanes
- Bicycle accommodation, such as new infrastructure or improvements that enhance cycling
- Public transit
- Revitalization of the community

YOUR INPUT

Phase Two: Concept Evaluation

In May 2017, we held an open house where we shared what we learned in phase one of the engagement and the three preliminary design concepts. We asked citizens to evaluate each of the three concepts presented and tell us how they meet or do not meet their own needs and the needs of the community. The project team also shared information about the project at Inglewood/Ramsay Coordination events in May 2017. An online survey was available from May 24 - June 13.

To see what information was presented during the Phase Two open house, please review the display boards.

A summary of feedback received and verbatim comments received during Phase Two are within the What We Heard Report.

NEXT STEPS

The feedback gathered through Phase Two will help the project team evaluate the options. Community priorities identified in Phase One have been incorporated into the evaluation criteria which will help determine what design concept will become the final recommended concept.

Over the summer, the technical team will develop the preferred concept in more detail. This will include identifying short term improvements that could be implemented before the final plan is constructed. The final recommended concept will be shared with the public in the fall.