Bye-bye bus traps: Calgary ditches notorious traffic devices
Calgary will soon be rid of all its bus traps.
The traps have existed in Calgary for decades, and were meant to stop cars from entering transit-only lanes.
"Fifty years ago, it seemed like a good idea to dig a hole in the middle of a transit lane and put bars across it to stop unauthorized vehicles from entering specific areas," said officials in a Wednesday news release.
The holes were built so that buses and emergency vehicles could pass over them without issue, but not commuters, who found themselves stuck in the trap if they entered the lane.
"I’ve spoken with people who accidentally drove into a bus trap, and it was a terrifying experience for them," said Troy McLeod, the City of Calgary's mobility director.
He explained the traps are actually counterproductive because transit service was interrupted when vehicles became stuck.
Additionally, smaller transit shuttles and emergency response vehicles were not big enough to pass over them.
"When it comes to these old traps, the consequences are excessive, and they disrupt transit service," Macleod said.
"Removing them was simply the right thing to do."
New solution
Officials are in the process of filling the remaining bus traps with asphalt/concrete as they work to find a better way to keep everyone safe on the roads.
"Mobility is all about keeping people moving safely, whether they walk, wheel, drive or take transit," McLeod said.
"Where we can, we want to ensure disruption to transit service is minimized and that access for emergency response vehicles is maximized."
Former bus trap locations include:
- Fourth Street N.E. at Beaver Dam Road N.E., filled in January;
- North Haven Drive N.W. at Noseman Road N.W., filled in January;
- 24 Avenue N.E. at 21 Street N.E., filled January;
- Pinetown Place N.E. at 56 Street N.E., filled in January;
- 58 Street S.W. at Strathcona Drive S.W., will be filled in this month;
- Rockyvale Drive N.W. at Rockliff Landing N.W., will be filled in this month, and
- Centre Street N at Beddington Trail N, will be filled in this month.
Officials are reminding drivers that the roadways the bus traps were on remain off-limits to personal vehicles.
Transit-only lanes are not to be used by drivers as shortcuts through neighbourhoods or for any other reason.
Signage will be updated letting drivers know it’s a restricted area, and traffic cameras will be used to monitor and assist with enforcement, as needed.
For more information, visit Calgary.ca/bus-traps.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
McGill says pro-Palestinian protest outside senior administrator's home 'crosses the line'
McGill University has denounced a pro-Palestinian protest held Sunday outside the home of one of its senior administrators.
What is BORG drinking, and why is it a dangerous trend? An expert explains
If you've been to a party lately and haven't seen someone drinking a BORG, you're likely not partying with college students.
The world's best airline is paying staff a bonus of 8 months' salary
Singapore Airlines will reward its employees with a bonus worth nearly eight months of salary, a person familiar with the matter told CNN on Friday.
Prosecution rests in Donald Trump’s hush money case. The defence now gets its turn to call witnesses
Michael Cohen testified Monday that he stole tens of thousands of dollars from his ex-boss Donald Trump’s company, an admission defence lawyers hope to use to undermine Cohen’s credibility.
Katy Perry sings goodbye to 'American Idol'
Katy Perry said her goodbyes on 'American Idol' after seven seasons. On Sunday night’s live 'idol' season finale, a medley of Perry's hit songs were performed, including 'Teenage Dream,' 'Dark Horse' and 'California Gurls.'
U.S. Supreme Court rejects appeal from former Guantanamo detainee Omar Khadr
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal by a Canadian-born former Guantanamo detainee who was seeking to wipe away his war crimes convictions, including for killing a U.S. soldier in Afghanistan.
Red Lobster probes 'endless shrimp' losses after bankruptcy filing
U.S.-based restaurant chain Red Lobster has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in a Florida court after securing $100 million in financing commitments from its existing lenders, the company said on Sunday.
'Next man up': Canucks coach, teammates bracing for Game 7 without Brock Boeser
Questions about how the team is going to handle the absence of star winger Brock Boeser from a do-or-die game seven dominated pre-game interviews with the Vancouver Canucks coach and players Monday morning.
Woman, 35, in critical condition after her truck collided with a Via Rail train near Montreal
A 35-year-old woman is in critical condition after the pick-up truck she was driving was struck by a Via Rail passenger train Monday morning in Quebec's Monteregie region.