CALGARY- A busy thoroughfare just off 17 Ave. S.W. is set for a major makeover.
The city has approved a concept to turn 8 St. S.W. into more of a destination than a roadway, which could mean the addition of bike lanes, wider sidewalks with patios and less traffic lanes. The changes would be made from 17 Ave. all the way to the river.
“The vision is to take the street and make it a street to go to rather, than a street to go through,” explains Ben Barrington, manager of Centre City Planning and Policy.
The plan would see the roadway go down to three lanes, with the centre one becoming a turning lane. That extra room would make way for bike lanes—something cyclists are excited about.
“It’s hard to ride in the roadway at times, traffic doesn’t give right of way to bikes and it’s just ridiculous,” says Charles White, who bikes to work.
Lonny Chin, who lives in the area, adds that she’s happy to see the sidewalks expanded.
“I think that’s a great idea, because there are a lot of people that walk up these streets.”
The plan would also see a makeover of the underpass along the CP tracks, which some have described as downright scary.
“Right now there are ten thousand people roughly going through the underpass between the downtown and the Beltline, and where they are walking is not very marvelous,” Barrington adds.
The city has already budgeted for a cleanup of the area, with better lighting and public art. Work will begin in the summer.
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