128 Avenue N.E. provides an important east-west connection through the Stoney Industrial Area which is identified for significant future growth of industrial development. The road connection is required to accommodate all modes of transportation, including motorists, public transit, cyclists, pedestrians and heavy vehicles accessing the Stoney Industrial Area. The objective of this study is to identify the functional planning design and preferred locations for the road and bridge(s) placement, determine efficient connections to existing roads and identify long-term right-of-way requirements.

Project goals:

• Better accommodate people who walk, bike, take transit and drive.
• Improve safety for those who travel through, or commute along, the study area.
• Provide new connection of 128 Avenue N.E. between Barlow Trail and Stoney Trail.
• Plan for new interchanges on both Deerfoot Trail and Stoney Trail.
• Provide new crossing over CP railway and Nose Creek.

Project Goals/Overview:

We are conducting a Functional Planning Study for 128 Ave N.E.

• A Functional Planning Study is early-stage planning to provide recommendations about the future design of transportation infrastructure (e.g., corridors, intersections/ interchanges).
• This study is an important step in ensuring that the supporting infrastructure aligns with the needs and priorities of interested parties like nearby neighbourhoods, adjacent landowners, land developers, and other interest groups.

128 Ave N.E. will provide an important east-west connection through the area defined by the Stoney Industrial Area Structure Plan, which is identified for significant future growth of commercial and industrial development.

• The road connection is required to accommodate all modes of transportation, including motorists, public transit, cyclists, pedestrians, and heavy vehicles accessing the Stoney Industrial Area.

This Functional Planning Study aims to identify the functional planning design and preferred locations for the road and bridge(s) placement, determine efficient connections to existing roads and identify long-term right-of-way requirements. Primary goals include:

•  Better accommodate people who walk, bike, take transit and drive.
•  Ensure safe travel for all users traveling through the study area.
•  Provide a new connection of 128 Avenue N.E. between Barlow Trail and Stoney Trail.
•  Plan for a new half-diamond interchange on Deerfoot Trail.
•  Provide a new crossing over the CPKC railway and Nose Creek.

Detailed design and construction are not currently planned or funded.

• As the need for this road is primarily development-driven, the timing of construction of various portions of the road will be primarily dependent on the various commercial and industrial development projects in the area. The timing of construction will not be identified as part of the current planning study.

The City of Calgary needed to complete essential technical work prior to beginning Phase 3 and presenting the recommended plan to the public.

• The 128 Ave N.E. Functional Planning Study has taken longer than initially expected due to the previous impacts of COVID-19 constraints and the need for extended technical work.
• The project team has been working as quickly as possible to conduct the technical work required to present a recommended plan in Phase 3.

What was the feedback received for the Phase 3: Reveal engagement?

During this phase of engagement, we heard from community members who were supportive of the current plan. We also heard from community members who expressed their concerns with the plan due to impacts on the environment, increased noise, increased traffic and congestion, cost, and the transit-only link, as outlined in the themes below. The complete What We Heard Report for Phase 3: Reveal can be seen here.

Greenspace and Wildlife

• Loss of greenspace and impacts on wildlife was one of the main issues raised in both the survey and online event.
• Some people were concerned about losing green space and parks in their community.
• Others expressed concern for the removal of spaces for wildlife.
• Some people suggested larger bridge clearance along the corridor to facilitate free passage for wildlife and minimize impacts to Nose Creek.

Transit-only Link

• Some respondents were interested in opening up the transit-only link to all vehicle traffic in order to facilitate car access to Stoney Trail from nearby communities.

Other Concerns

• Other people expressed concerns involving increased noise, traffic, and congestion impacting communities near the new 128 Avenue N.E. roadway.
• Cost for the project was another issue raised by a few people.
• Another issue that was raised centered on equity and access to parks by the surrounding communities.
  • A few people noted that the N.E. quadrant of the City has fewer parks than other quadrants.
  • As a result, these people wanted to preserve access to parks by N.E. communities.

Phase 3 Engagement:

The previous two phases, Discover and Explore, were engagement opportunities that informed the recommended plan showcased in Phase 3.

• Phase 1: Discover involved sharing prior City planning for 128 Avenue N.E. and identifying aspirations, issues, opportunities, and priorities of interested parties related to the project. The feedback was compiled to create the project's evaluation criteria and concept options.
• Phase 2: Explore involved sharing design concepts with stakeholders and the public. The feedback was considered in the development of the recommended plan.
• Public input is essential for creating a functional plan that aligns with community needs. However, technical data, policies, budgets, and best practices also informed the recommended plan.
• To review the What We Heard report for Phase 1 and 2, please visit https://engage.calgary.ca/128ave.

We are currently in Phase 3 of engagement. During this phase we are presenting the public with our recommended plan, answering questions, and taking feedback on the engagement process.

• During this phase we will present our recommended plan and gather feedback from the public to refine and finalize the plan for final review and approval.
• We will share how input from interested parties and the public and other considerations such as technical evaluation, City plans and policies, and cost informed the recommended plan.
• We will encourage participants to view the recommended plan on the project website and/or attend the online event on May 30, 2024, from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm.
• Online engagement is open from May 21 to June 7, 2024. During this time, public input can be submitted through an online feedback form on the project website.
• Interest holders and public input are considered by the project team to inform the development of the recommended plan. However, technical data, policies, budgets, and best practices will also inform the plan.

This phase comes after years of engagement with the community and interest holders.

• Throughout the engagement process The City engaged with interest holders and the public to gather feedback, determine the evaluation criteria and create the design concepts and a recommended plan for the 128 Avenue N.E. study area.
• All feedback during the previous two phases was considered when finalizing the recommended plan.
• Detailed information on the engagement process and feedback received during Phase 1 and Phase 2 can be found on our webpage, outlined in the “What We Heard Reports”.

How were engagement opportunities promoted to the community?

• A public campaign was put together to promote these engagement opportunities
• The campaign included Bold Signs throughout the community, direct mail to adjacent residents and business owners in Coventry Hills, and an extensive social media advertising campaign.

What was the feedback received for Phase 2 engagement?

Overall Themes

• Participants had mixed views on the transit-only link expressing positively that it would reduce traffic impact on the community, but also concern that it would increase pollution and travel times.
• Participants questioned the connection to Deerfoot Trail given the proximity of Stoney Trail.
• Participants expressed concerns about costs and property impacts.
• There was an appreciation of increased pathway and pedestrian connection to communities.

How did public feedback inform the recommended plan?

All feedback was considered when finalizing the recommended plan. Public feedback from Phase 1 “Discover Phase” was used by The City to develop concepts. Feedback received during Phase 2 “Explore Phase”, was used by The City to refine the evaluation of concepts and to develop a recommended plan. A What We Heard report from both phases can be found at https://engage.calgary.ca/128ave.

Below is an evaluation table used to inform the recommended plan based on public feedback.

What was the feedback received for Phase 1 engagement?

Overall themes

• It is important to provide good connections, particularly to residential areas, such as Coventry Hills, and communities surrounding the study area
• Extend well-planned and safe pathway connections to the communities of Skyview and Coventry Hills
• Participants expressed concern about the proximity of the 128 Avenue interchange to the one at Stoney Trail and Deerfoot Trail, however, the 128 Avenue interchange location is in alignment with the existing transportation plans of the Provincial Government

Participants identified their top three priorities for the study area, by frequency of response, as:

• Environmental Sustainability
• Community Access
• Pathway Connectivity

General Questions

Who should I contact if I have questions about the study?

For more information about the study, please visit engage.calgary.ca/128ave or contact the project team at 128AveNE@Calgary.ca.

What is a Functional Planning Study?

A functional planning study is an early-stage planning document that provides recommendations about the future design of the corridor and how to improve mobility for Calgarians. Should the project be funded in the future, the recommended concept design would go to a detailed design where the specifics and features would be planned in further detail.

What is the project scope?

The functional planning study includes the 128 Avenue N.E. connection from Barlow Trail at the east end through Stoney Trail at the west end, including on Deerfoot Trail. The Stoney Trail/11 Street N.E. interchange was removed from the project scope as the interchange is now built and operational.

Why is 128 Ave N.E. needed? What are the benefits of providing this connection?

128 Avenue N.E. will serve as a primary access route for traffic volumes anticipated by the development of lands within the Stoney Industrial Area Structure Plan and the Northeast Industrial Area Structure Plan.

When will construction occur?

As the need for this road is primarily development-driven, the construction timing will depend on the area's commercial and industrial development projects. The timing of construction will not be identified as part of the current planning study.

What criteria were considered in the recommended plan?

• Public feedback from Phase 1 and 2 engagement
• Construction cost
• Impacts on private and public lands
• Utility impacts (overhead, underground)
• Environmental impacts, including Nose Creek
• Constructability, including disruption during construction
• Opportunity for staging

Environmental Questions:

How is the project minimizing impacts on Nose Creek?

Through discussions with The City’s Parks department and consideration of the requirements set out in the Nose Creek Watershed Water Management Plan, the proposed alignment for the roadway was adjusted to prevent the need for realigning Nose Creek and minimize disturbances to the waterway. Please refer to the What We Did slide for more information about reducing impacts on Nose Creek in the recommended plan.

What environmental studies have been undertaken?

The City is conducting ongoing environmental studies for this project, such as a Level 1 Biophysical Impact Assessment (BIA) and a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment (ESA). In future phases of design and construction, additional studies will be necessary to assess project impacts and mitigation strategies.

How does the recommended plan contribute to the City’s climate change strategy?

The project improves the sustainability of multi-modal choices by enhancing walking and cycling connections to, along, and across 128 Ave NE as well as future access to transit service. The recommendations will reduce travel times and improve safety for people accessing the Stoney Industrial Area. By providing a convenient pathway system and safe access to Calgary Transit, we encourage the public to take low or zero-emissions transportation modes to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Transportation Questions

Why is the connection between 128 Avenue N.E. and the Coventry Hills community only for transit vehicles and active modes?

This connection was identified as part of the planning for the Council-approved Stoney Industrial Area Structure Plan and was specifically flagged as being for transit use and as a pedestrian/cyclist connection only. Please refer to the evaluation table for more information about the connection.

What are the forecasted traffic volumes for 128 Avenue N.E.?

Traffic forecasts for 128 Avenue N.E. are expected to be:

• Close to 30,000 vehicles per day between Barlow Trail N.E. and 15 Street N.E.
• 30,000 to 35,000 vehicles per day between 15 Street N.E. and Stoney Trail

Are there bike pathways and sidewalks in the plan?

There will be multi-use pathways provided along both sides of 128 Avenue N.E. There will also be a pathway connection between 128 Avenue N.E. and the Coventry Hills community and a north-south pathway underneath the proposed Nose Creek bridge.

How was transit incorporated into the recommended plan?

Two future transit routes are being planned. Route A: this route would connect North Pointe Terminal and Northeast Calgary (possibly at the future 128 AVB NE Blue Line LRT station). It would use a new transit-only crossing in Coventry Hills. Communities that would be served include Coventry Hills, Stoney Industrial, Stonegate Landing, Redstone, and Skyview Ranch.

Route B: this route would also connect North Pointe Terminal and Northeast Calgary. Communities that would be served include Coventry Hills, Harvest Hills, Stoney Industrial, and Stonegate Landing (including the future Stonegate Blue Line LRT Station).

Interest holders and public input are considered by the project team to refine and finalize the recommended plan. However, technical data, policies, budgets, and best practices will also inform the final plan. The final recommended plan will incorporate the public’s input and will be posted here in late 2024.