Transportation Plan for Ward 14

In an effort to keep Ward 14 and the City moving, there needs to be a plan in place. Currently, it seems projects in Calgary are done on an ad hoc basis, as money become available, or the need becomes too great. But very few projects are ever done as part of a long-range plan with timelines and budgets. I want to create a plan for Ward 14 that lists the necessary projects, their projected costs and a timeline to have each project completed.

The two main components of my plan are of course roadways and public transit, both of which are vital to the success and accessibility of the area. Roadway projects for Ward 14 include interchanges at Lake Fraser Gate and 162nd Avenue with MacLeod Trail, creating a lengthy stretch of free flow travel on one of Calgary’s busiest roads. The next road improvements necessary, would be the completion of the SE leg of the Ring Road. A Provincial project already under construction, the Ring Road is currently only going to be built to Sun Valley Blvd, not West through MacLeod Trail. This is simply unacceptable to the residents of Ward 14 and all Calgarians. The Province needs to know how important this piece of infrastructure is to Calgary and ensure that it is completed along with the rest of the SE Ring Road.

The most important transit projects are the extension of all LRT platforms to allow four-car trains and the building of the SE LRT. Expansion to four-car trains will allow the City to increase LRT capacity by 33% in a quick and cost-efficient fashion. The project, which currently has a five year timeline, is estimated to cost around $60 million dollars. Meanwhile, the SE LRT, which has a rough plan in place, hasn’t really had any progress made, other than Council committing $800 million; less than half of the estimated cost.

As Alderman, I would propose we put an end to this hap-hazard approach to important infrastructure projects, with a firm plan.


Interchange at MacLeod Trail/Lake Fraser Gate SE
- estimated cost of $25 million
- Completion date of 2014

Interchange at MacLeod Trail/162nd Avenue SE
- estimated cost of $50 million
- completion date of 2014

Expansion of LRT system to four-car trains
- estimated cost of $60 million
- completion date of 2014

Construction of SE LRT line
- estimated cost of $2 billion
- begin construction by the end of 2012

We need to ensure that the City of Calgary continues to grow and prosper, and the ability to move about is so important. Let’s start to get these projects done.

-The Butcher

www.billythebutcher.com
www.twitter.com/billtummonds