PROJECT OVERVIEW

We are currently reviewing 42 Avenue S.E. between 1A Street S.W. and 12 Street S.E. to understand how to improve the walking and biking experience, and provide better access and connections in the area.

This spring/summer, we will be working with Calgarians to identify barriers and understand how to best improve the design of this important corridor.

The new facilities will:

• Provide improved access to the 39 Avenue LRT station, the future Green Line Highfield station and other public transit locations
• Create travel connections between the Elbow River and the Bow River
• Link to destinations such as the Calgary Food Bank and local businesses like those that make up the Barley Belt (10 Craft breweries within a 7 km stretch)
• Eliminate sidewalk gaps and missing links that currently exist in the sidewalk network along 42 Avenue S.E.
• Improve accessibility along the corridor for all users
• Not impact the number of vehicular lanes or access to businesses
• Connect to a new multi-use pathway on the north side of 42 Avenue west of Macleod Trail, with connections to Stanley Park

We anticipate that Calgarians will be able to use the new facilities in Fall 2020.

42 Avenue S.E. connects to important destinations including Stanley Park, the food bank, industrial parks, LRT stations, and local businesses. It is important that The City provides transportation options that allow people to walk, bike and take transit as efficient ways of travel.

This 2.25 km section of roadway currently lacks continuous and comfortable facilities to walk or bike on. During public engagement for the 11 Street S.E. Corridor Improvement Project, Calgarians identified 42 Avenue S.E. as an area for improvement due to its connections to important destinations. Council received numerous letters and a collection of over 400 signatures in community support of improving active mode facilities along the corridor.

The study area for this project is highlighted below in pink. Click to enlarge.

We will use the input we receive from Calgarians, along the results of our technical evaluation, to refine and finalize the design and present it back to the public in the Fall. We anticipate that Calgarians will be able to use the new facilities by Fall 2020.

PROVIDE YOUR INPUT

Thank you for providing feedback on the possible design options. Click here to view our What We Heard Report from this phase of engagement.

The input we received from Calgarians, along with the results of our technical evaluation, will help us refine and finalize the design and present it back to the public in the Fall. We anticipate that Calgarians will be able to use the new facilities by Fall 2020.

Three possible design options for the study area were developed. They include:

• Option 1: One-way bike pathway with separated sidewalks on both sides of the road
• Option 2: Two-way multi-use pathway on south side only
• Option 3: Two-way multi-use pathway on both sides of the road

In addition, we developed a fourth possible on-road design option for the area of 42 Avenue between 7 Street S.E. and 11 Street S.E. Details for this option are:

• Option 4: Protected bike lanes with separated sidewalks on both sides of the road

One-way bike pathway with separated sidewalks on both sides of the road

Benefits:

• The number of travel lanes (4) does not change
• Bike pathway is separated from the street and sidewalk
• Curb line does not move
• Minimal impact to existing utilities
• 1.5m separated sidewalks on both sides of the road
• Improved transportation network connection
• Access to businesses on both sides
• People who bike move in same direction as vehicle traffic, more predictable for people who drive

Trade-offs/impacts:

• Possible impacts to private property
• Power poles along noth boulevard may have to be relocated
• Streetlights may have to be relocated

Estimated Cost:

• $4.4 million

Two-way multi-use pathway on south side only

Benefits:

• The number of travel lanes (4) does not change
• Multi-use pathway is separated from the street
• Curb line does not move
• Minimal impact to existing utilities
• Power poles are not impacted
• People who bike can travel in either direction without crossing the avenue

Trade-offs/impacts:

• Possible impacts to private property
• People who walk and bike use the same pathway, possibility of conflict
• No separation from the street for existing curb-side sidewalk on the north side
• No pathway connections to the north side of the avenue
• Requires more street crossings to reach businesses and pathway connections on the north side of the avenue
• Streetlights would be relocated

Estimated Cost:

• $2.4 million

Two-way multi-use pathway on both sides of the road

Benefits:

• The number of travel lanes (4) does not change
• Multi-use pathway is separated from the street
• Curb line does not move
• Minimal impact to existing utilities
• People who bike can travel in either direction without crossing the avenue
• Transportation network connect and business access available on both sides

Trade-offs/impacts:

• Possible impacts to private property
• People who walk and bike use same pathway, possibility of conflict
• Power poles along north boulevard would be relocated

Estimated Cost:

• $3.4 million

Protected bike lanes with separated sidewalks on both sides of the road

Benefits:

• The number of travel lanes (2) does not change
• Narrower travel lanes may result in reduced speeds
• On-street bike lane separated by physical barrier
• Curb line does not move
• Existing 1.5m separated sidewalk on north side remains
• No impact to power poles along north boulevard
• Separated sidewalk installed on south side
• Lower capital cost

Trade-offs/Impacts:

• Possible impacts to private property for sidewalk installation
• Possible maintenance requirements for the bike lane (may require special equipment)

Estimated Cost:

• $750,000
• Will lower the overall costs of Options 1 through 3