City looking to focus on pedestrian and cyclist safety in Marda Loop masterplan
After years of engagement with residents, businesses and stakeholders, the city is planning to move forward with the Streetscape Masterplan for Marda Loop.
Pedestrian safety, parking and bike lanes are the focus of the multi-million dollar proposal.
33 Avenue SW is the central corridor for business and vehicle traffic through the community.
On 34 Avenue, the city plans to construct bike lanes to alleviate pressure on cyclists when riding near heavy traffic.
Although a final design has not been approved, there are three scenarios the city is considering.
Option A looks at one-way vehicle traffic, with two parking lanes and a cycling track on the south side of the street.
Option B looks at two-way vehicle traffic, with a parking lane on the north side, while a cycling track is created on the south side, including a pedestrian path.
Option C would see the road stay as is, with mixed traffic being allowed on the road, including cyclists and vehicles.
Bike Calgary believes the creation of bike lanes is what is needed in Marda Loop.
"It would be safe or could be safe, only if it is designed properly," said spokesperson Garry Lohuis.
"We would be very much in favour of a separated bike lane track. We're not anti-car. We're just really pro-safety for bicycles."
Some residents in the area believe adding bike lanes in the area would be a good idea.
Kate Bowering says the city should install bike lanes, but it has to accommodate everybody, and that includes alleviating any pressure on traffic back-ups if parking becomes an issue.
"It's not one thing to say we need bike lanes on 34 Ave. I think it needs to be a very thoughtful approach," said Bowering.
Another resident tells CTV news he is a cyclist but believes the project would be a waste of time.
"I think it's a bad idea. It will just make the traffic worse, and everybody that rides a bike, I ride a bike all the time just goes over a block or two to be on the nice quiet streets," he said.
Officials say temporary improvement measures such as wheelchair ramps and traffic-calming curbs will be installed along 34 Avenue between 14 Street and 20 Street. The curbs will be installed in the new year.
The city will host a virtual open house on Dec. 1, where the project will be presented and allow for a question and answer session.
The city says it is taking key engagements with those impacted that will take place until Dec. 15.
Previous engagement sessions showed a multi-use path option is what most felt would be the ideal solution, the city says.
This would see shared pathways on one side of the road for cyclists and pedestrians while still preserving on-street parking on both sides.
No date has been set for construction.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Tropical fish stolen from Beachburg, Ont. restaurant found and returned
Ontario Provincial Police have landed a suspect following a fishy theft in Beachburg, Ont.
U.S. FAA launches investigation into unauthorized personnel in cockpit of Colorado Rockies flight to Toronto
The U.S.’s Federal Aviation Administration is investigating a video that appears to show unauthorized personnel in the cockpit of a charted Colorado Rockies flight to Toronto.