Q: What are Functional Planning Studies for BRT Projects?

A: BRT Functional Planning Studies:

• Determine a final design recommendation for the future Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor to improve transit service and connections for Calgarians.
• Are an early step in planning how transit infrastructure will be designed, including BRT routes, stations, access to transit service, transit priority measures, roads, and intersections.
• Recommend the necessary right-of-way for the BRT project, conduct the cost estimation, define the project benefits, and identify risks.
• Focuses on gathering input from the public and interested parties to understand current issues, constraints, and the needs and preferences of local residents. This feedback ensures that the plans address the concerns and desires of the community.
• Prepares a project to be shovel-ready, meaning it is ready to move forward with design and construction. Being shovel-ready is important for getting funding. Once the project is funded, the functional design will be developed into a detailed design, where specific features will be planned in further detail.

Q: What happens after the functional planning study?

The functional planning study will position a project to be shovel-ready, enabling it to advance the design and construction. This readiness is important for securing funding. If the project becomes funded, the recommended concept design will move into detailed design where the specific features will be planned in further detail.

Q: What is the primary transit network and the Max line?

The Primary Transit Network is the core of Calgary’s transit system. It features high-quality, high-frequency service designed to be fast and convenient. Services on these key corridors are planned to run every 10 minutes or less, 15 hours a day, seven days a week.

Key Features of the Primary Transit Network:

• High-frequency service: Transit services operate every 10 minutes or less for at least 15 hours a day, seven days a week.
• Convenient: Designed to be faster and more accessible for customers.
• Service quality: Focuses on providing excellent service, not just on the type of vehicle used.
• Flexible: Allows customers to travel freely without having to plan around a schedule, encouraging more people to use transit.

Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) means limited stop bus service on existing streets, shared with automobiles. In Calgary, BRT buses get priority at traffic lights and may use special lanes or queue jumps to avoid delays from congestion. This type of BRT is cost-effective and helps passengers reach their destinations faster than local bus routes.

MAX Line is a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line with additional features. The benefits of a MAX line include more frequent service, fewer stops, transit priority measures (dedicated bus lanes, transit signal priority, etc), heated shelters, real-time information displays, and more direct connections. It all adds up to more convenience, more comfort, and more connections. (e.g., MAX Orange, MAX Purple, MAX Teal, and MAX Yellow)

Q: What work has been done on 52 Street E so far?

In 2021, the City of Calgary completed a Transit Improvements Project along 52 Street E, which included several enhancements to support transit efficiency. These improvements featured transit-only queue jump lanes, sections of dedicated bus lanes, and transit signal priority measures at key intersections. This Functional Planning Study will build on these existing improvements, further enhancing transit services along the corridor. (Note: Due to the tight design and construction timelines tied to funding, public engagement was not conducted during that phase.)

Q: What other City of Calgary projects are happening on 52 Street E?

The City of Calgary has several ongoing Pathway and Bikeway projects in Wards 5, 10, and 9. See Calgary's Pathway and Bikeway Network | Engage

• MAX Purple E Functional Planning Study
• The Blue Line Northeast LRT Extension
• Bikeway and Pathway projects - Ward 5
• Bikeway and Pathway projects - Ward 9
• Bikeway and Pathway projects - Ward 10
• Peigan Trail Twinning
• Seton Regional Park

Q: Will the project be constructed?

The functional planning study for the 52 Street Corridor is fully funded. However, funding for the detailed design and construction has not yet been secured. Once funding is allocated, we will be able to provide estimated timelines for the next phases of the project.