'It was so cool': Calgarians watch demolition of Stampede LRT platform
If you’re northbound on Macleod Trail into Calgary’s downtown you’ll notice a slight delay in traffic this weekend but also the notable absence of the Plus-15 bridge and elevated portion of the Victoria Park/Stampede LRT station.
The pedestrian bridge was brought down Friday night and construction continues on the spiral red staircases leading into Stampede Park from Macleod Trail.
“It was so cool,” says Richard Jacobson. “It looked like Transformers. The excavators were just tearing the ramp right up and I was just like, wow!”
The construction is part of the Rivers District master plan which is a 20-year vision for east Victoria Park which includes new amenities like the new event centre, BMO expansion and a new Stampede retail destination.
“The fundamental premise of that plan is to get more people, Calgarians and others, to come into this area. We have a huge part of this city that’s been under-utilized,” says Kate Thompson, the president and CEO of the Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC).
CTrain and transit users can now access the platform by two barrier-free at-grade level crossings that were unveiled earlier this week.
“It has been 40 years since the community has been able to access Stampede Park directly from the key gateway of 17th Avenue,” said Calgary Stampede CEP Joel Crowley in a release.
Pre-pandemic, close to 13,000 people used the station everyday and planners say the changes shortens the distance for pedestrians seven-fold.
“Users as they’re coming through are going to see the first hand view of the construction but the amount of actual station closures is actually quite small,” says Thompson.
There were slight delays in traffic Saturday due to the construction in the area however many nearby businesses didn’t notice an impact.
“As of now I don’t see any impact or any traffic problems but however potentially eventually we’ll have some impacts,” says Jason Kim with SnowCapz Cafe. “In a long time it will be good for the community since we’ll have the new arena and new buildings so it’ll be a good plan for this southeast community downtown.”
During the construction, the city say transit service will take place with the exception of five long closures over weekend periods.
Plans also include work to begin on a temporary station in spring 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Iran fires at apparent Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
An apparent Israeli drone attack on Iran saw troops fire air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan, an assault coming in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Ontario woman loses $15,000 to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
DEVELOPING Israel targets air defence system in Syria, state news agency says
Israel carried out a missile strike targeting an air defence unit in southern Syria, causing material damage, state-run SANA news agency quoted a military statement as saying Friday.
Some Canadian families will receive up to $620 per child today
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.