The City of Calgary has reviewed the feedback provided and worked with our design team to generate a preferred concept design for the proposed improvements for 8 Avenue N. and connecting sections of McKinnon Drive N.E. and Maunsell Close N.E. The recommended concept includes a two-way off-street multi-use pathway along 8 Avenue N. from Edmonton Trail N.E. to McKinnon Drive N.E., as well as along connecting sections of McKinnon Drive N.E. and Maunsell Close N.E. In addition, a number of walking, wheeling, streetscape and intersection improvements are also included within the recommended design.

The proposed improvements balance the needs identified by the community through engagement and align with the project goals of providing better and safer active modes access to destinations within the surrounding communities.

The proposed design is conceptual at this stage. Specific features that have been proposed may be refined when funding is confirmed and the project proceeds to the detailed design phase as the team identifies various site constraints, such as utility right-of-way, existing infrastructure, and more. Graphics illustrating the final recommended concept designs are below. Please click on the images below to view the details.

Project Goals & Objectives

• Develop a plan to upgrade existing active transportation infrastructure to improve the safety, mobility, and efficiency of all travel modes in the area.
• Enhance the network of active modes facilities through the area neighbourhoods and across transportation barriers.
• Explore improvements to walking and wheeling connections along 8 Avenue N. and key connecting roadways so that people have better and safer access to the area and to neighbouring communities.

Key Points for Consideration

In addition to the public engagement process to develop our recommended concept design, we also closely studied and considered of the following key elements that affect and/or intersect with this project:

• Technical data analysis, including safety, traffic, parking, maintenance, greenspace, infrastructure consistency, site geometric constraints, and costs.
• Close coordination with Green Line and other area projects/plans.
• Communications with adjacent private and public developments to coordinate work efforts, minimize budgetary impacts, and reduce construction impacts to the community.
• Ongoing consideration of the unique character and identity of these neighbourhoods to establish a sense of place that offers memorable experiences for residents and visitors.

Based on the feedback received in the previous round of engagement, the top three priorities identified for the project were:

• Improvements for pedestrian and cyclist mobility along the 8 Avenue NE bridge over Deerfoot Trail
• Providing facilities that separate vehicle and cyclist movements
• Maintaining boulevard and greenspace

The purpose of this phase of engagement is to obtain feedback on the walking and wheeling improvements being considered and whether they meet the priorities identified in Phase 1 of the engagement and identify any other opportunities to make sure our plan reflects the community’s needs and interests. The feedback collected will help the project team evaluate and refine the improvements being considered.

This phase of engagement will be open from September 19, 2022 through October 9, 2022.

There are three different types of improvements under consideration for the project area:

Streetscape Improvements	Intersection Improvements	Public Realm Enhancements

The map below illustrates the study area, which has been divided into six different segments. Please click on the icons to learn more about the improvements and share your feedback.

The project team has also been developing designs for low cost, small-scale spot improvements, which will be implemented this year. Improvements include wheelchair ramp and intersection upgrades, sidewalk remediation, and improved pedestrian crossings along 8 Avenue N.E. between Renfrew Drive N.E. and 16A Street N.E. This work is necessary to enhance active transportation options for those who walk, wheel, and drive in the area and will aim to complement any potential future corridor improvements.

Thank you to those who provided input on this project during Phase 1 Engagement, which occurred from June 6 to June 26, 2022. Overall, we had 2,085 participants visit the project webpage, and 1,205 contributions of feedback were submitted online.

Key themes identified during Phase 1 Engagement included:

• Safety
• Traffic calming
• Integrated connections

The top three priorities for corridor active modes improvements were:

• Improvements for pedestrian and cyclist mobility along the 8 Avenue NE bridge over Deerfoot Trail
• Providing facilities that separate vehicle and cyclist movements
• Maintaining boulevard and greenspace

The What We Heard report summarizing Phase 1 Engagement findings can be downloaded from the following link: Phase 1 What We Heard Report

While funding has been secured to conduct this study, the construction of recommended improvements remains unfunded at this time. The City is actively pursuing potential funding sources that could be used for future implementation efforts.

Thank you for your time and input, we look forward to keeping in touch as the project continues to progress.