Share your input by November 22 at https://engage.calgary.ca/futureof16AvenueNW
The City of Calgary is developing a plan to upgrade 16 Ave NW, between Sarcee Trail and Crowchild. Based on initial public engagement and planning, concept plans have been developed for three project zones:
West Segment: Sarcee Trail to 49 Street NW
Main Street Segment: 49 Street to Shaganappi Trail NW
East Segment: Shaganappi Trail to Crowchild Trail NW
You can view the project information documents at:
https://engage.calgary.ca/futureof16AvenueNW
The project team has also prepared a helpful video explaining the design elements of each segment, which you can find here:
Some of the design elements that caught Bike Calgary’s Infrastructure group member Jonathan van Heyst’s attention:
West Segment:
- The proposed new multi-use pathways along the north side of 16 Ave would be a welcome improvement to connections between Montgomery, Bowness, the Bow River Pathway, and the redevelopment of the Sunnyside Garden Centre (new major grocery store, residential housing, other retail)
- The improvements to the Bow River Bridge at Shouldice Park, creating a widened active modes crossing, seem to be tied to Option 2 (widening to 6 travel lanes). Option 2 may not be realized for many years due to capital funding constraints, or if planned suburban growth does not progress west of the city
Main Streets Segment:
- A six-lane roadway through Montgomery would detract from the idea of a “Main Street” environment in many ways. Increased traffic and vehicle noise/emissions, decreased access to local business, and a more hostile environment for people walking and wheeling would be realized here.
- Intersection design will be very important in this segment. A new traffic signal at 43 Street NW will be a big safety improvement over the current overhead flashers. 16 Ave currently divides the community of Montgomery, and these intersections will be a critical part of north/south connections between the Bow River pathway and new cycling infrastructure on Bowness Road
East Segment:
- Only one option is proposed for this segment, as most of the roadway concept design has been determined through previous studies on the Crowchild Trail and Shaganappi Trail corridors
- The pathway improvements seem to be tied to funding for major interchange projects, which may not be realized for many years due to capital funding constraints. Bike Calgary also supports shorter term improvements to walking and wheeling connections for a much lower cost with good returns on investment. This would be especially true for 5A (always available for all ages and abilities) connections to the major employment hubs in the area – Foothills Medical Centre, Alberta Children’s Hospital, and the University of Calgary.