WATCH: New plans are supposed to breathe new life into Macleod Trail, but the current proposal is drawing a lot of fire for its hefty price tag. Stefan Keyes reports.
CALGARY – It could still be a long-time coming, but the city is looking at making Calgary’s Macleod Trail into something more attractive and pedestrian-friendly.
“Desolate remnants of a 1950s version of how a city should be built,” is how city councillor Brian Pincott described it after a committee meeting on Wednesday.
The study looks at widening sidewalks, installing bike lanes, and planting trees to beautify about 10 kilometres of road between 25 Avenue and Anderson Road S.
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So far, the price tag to make it happen is pegged at $67.8 million. It includes the cost of construction for the northern section and the cost to acquire land towards Stampede Park.
Some councillors criticize the study, questioning whether or not the City should be working so hard to turn Macleod Trail into a “Paris” or “Broadway.”
Still, many agree something needs to be done to revitalize the area as the look hasn’t changed much since the 60s and several buildings sit empty struggling to fill leasing space.
Challenges identified:
- Cemetery Hill
- LRT tracks
- Plan requires some negotiations with CP Rail
The current plan is also intended to assist with pedestrian safety and the high collision rate.
If it continues to move forward, the committee says the study phase is still a decade or more away from breaking ground on construction.
Macleod Trail is used by 50,000 to 60,000 vehicles daily.
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