PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The City has received an application for a new development in Fisher Park near Macleod Trail and 71 Avenue S.E. A vital component of the development is the planning of a new LRT station, providing a stop equidistant from the existing Chinook and Heritage stations. The application also includes a pedestrian connection to this LRT station from the Fairview community immediately to the east.

Prior to the development's approval, a more detailed Functional Planning Study is required for the proposed LRT station to confirm its impacts on the existing LRT line and the feasibility of a station at this location.

Multiple station configurations were prepared with these components in mind. The following three station configurations were selected for further consideration following a technical review:

  • Option 1 - Centre-loaded platform with partial LRT track crossing and standalone pedestrian bridge
  • Option 2 - Side-loaded platform with integrated pedestrian bridge
  • Option 3 - Side-loaded platform with partial LRT track crossing and standalone pedestrian bridge

Of these three options, only Option 2 requires a station head, a large building that provides access to the LRT platforms. An example of a station with a station head would be the Southland LRT station. An example of a station without a station head would be the new Chinook LRT station.

PROVIDE YOUR INPUT

UPDATE: Engagement for this project is now closed. Thank you for providing your feedback. Click here to view the What We Heard Report, which provides an overview of our recent engagement and the responses we received.

We received comments notifying us that the maps used on this page did not include street names to help stakeholders better understand the location of the proposed station and pedestrian bridge. Updated maps including street names have been included below.

Now that we know that the options are viable from a safety and functionality perspective, we need your help and input to determine the practicality and connectivity of the Midtown LRT station and pedestrian bridge connecting to the community of Fairview.

There is a tab below for each of the three options under consideration. Please review the information and provide your feedback for each of the tabs. Make sure to click the submit button at the bottom of each tab to provide your input.

Online engagement will be open from November 13 through 27, 2020.

Please note, the diagrams in the tabs below are high-level designs for discussion purposes. Details such as a more precise layout of the transit plaza, as well as the length and layout of the pedestrian bridge, will come at later stages of the Functional Planning Study and will be determined through the results of the engagement and further technical analysis. Technical considerations include accessibility, track and rail alignment, land use, and cost impacts.

OPTION 1

Extending the pedestrian bridge westward to the new transit plaza will improve access between the new Midtown development, the bus terminal and communities to the east. Station access is provided to the centre-loaded platform via an at-grade crossing located south of the platform.

BenefitsDrawbacks
  • No station head required, which reduces both the capital and operating costs.
  • The platform can be narrower as there is not a need for station head access
  • Centre-loaded platforms can be more flexible to provide extra waiting space.
  • Improved safety and crime prevention during off-peak hours as everyone shares a single platform.
  • Allows access to the platform over the CP tracks without an at-grade crossing.
  • Improves east-west access via the pedestrian bridge.
  • Smaller reduction in buildable area due to narrow track realignment.
  • Requires an at-grade crossing of the southbound track to access the platform
  • No access to the platform from the pedestrian bridge.
  • At-grade access to the platform is only provided at the south end of the platform

Overview of option 1, including pedestrian movement.

OPTION 2

The southbound platform is seamlessly integrated with the new transit plaza providing direct access. There will be entrances to the station head from the pedestrian bridge for access to the northbound and southbound platforms without requiring an at-grade crossing, while also improving access between the new Midtown development, the bus terminal and communities to the east.

BenefitsDrawbacks
  • Southbound platform is seamlessly integrated with the transit plaza providing access and integrates better with the planned development.
  • Northbound platform can be narrower.
  • Additional access to the southbound platform reduces blind spots, improving safety and crime prevention.
  • Improves east-west access via the pedestrian bridge.
  • Allows people to access the platform over the CP tracks without an at-grade crossing.
  • No at-grade track crossings required, which increases safety for transit users.

  • Requires station head, which increases capital and operating costs.
  • Increased blind spots for the northbound platform, as it is separated from the transit plaza.

Overview of Option 2 including pedestrian movement.

OPTION 3

Extending the pedestrian bridge westward to the new transit plaza will improve access between the new Midtown development, the bus terminal and communities to the east. The southbound platform is seamlessly integrated with the new transit plaza providing added permeability. An at-grade crossing located south of the platform provides access to the northbound platform.


BenefitsDrawbacks
  • No station head required, which reduces both the capital and operating costs.
  • Southbound platform is seamlessly integrated with the transit plaza providing access and integrates better with the planned development.
  • Additional access to the southbound platform reduces blind spots, improving safety and crime prevention.
  • Improves east-west access via the pedestrian bridge.

  • Side-loading southbound platform may create confusion on how to get to the northbound platform.
  • Requires at-grade crossing to access the northbound platform.
  • At-grade access to the northbound platform is only provided at the south end of the platform.
  • No access to the platform from the pedestrian bridge

Overview of Option 3 including pedestrian movement.

PREVIOUS ENGAGEMENT

The project team recognizes that significant engagement has occurred in the plan area, including previous engagement for the Heritage Communities Local Growth Plan and mobility programs such as Neighbourhood Streets. This feedback has not been lost and has been taken into consideration. From previous engagement, we know that connectivity to and from the adjacent communities is vital to support people walking, wheeling and taking transit in the area.

NEXT STEPS

The input collected during this phase of engagement will be used to inform and refine the design concepts that will be presented back to the community through a What We Heard/What We Did Report. This report will provide a summary of the input we received and how that input was used in the project. Input received through this engagement will be one of many factors considered as the proposed design and supporting materials are created. Other considerations could include technical and feasibility studies, community and economic conditions, and previous engagement results.

The results of the Midtown LRT Station Functional Planning Study, including cost and feasibility will be used for the review of the development application for Midtown Station. The timeline for construction and implementation of the Midtown LRT will be determined by the applicant. For more information on the Midtown Station Outline Plan, please visit: ibipublicengagement.com/midtown.