TRAFFIC
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The University of Calgary and the CRHA are asking Calgary City Council to approve a new overpass between Foothills Hospital and the proposed site for the new Children's Hospital. Local residents warn that the overpass would be potentially hazardous as well as expensive.

Costs for the new interchange, only a few hundred meters east of the existing one at Shaganappi Trail, are estimated at $11 million or more. The interchange will come within about 50 ft. of residences and destroy an existing small city park. 

"In addition to presenting serious nuisance issues for nearby residents, the interchange will be the 5th grade-separated interchange on the Trans Canada in an approximate 2 km. distance," said traffic committee chair Ajit Silas, "with yet another in the long term plan at 29th St.  The result will be a constant series of entrance and exit lanes, slowing traffic and creating unsafe driving conditions on a hazardous goods route." 

The CRHA and U. of C. want a direct link across 16th Avenue for its practitioners and students. UHCA wants City Council to consider some other options for providing access to and from the West Campus, perhaps from Shaganappi Trail.  This week  the University and CRHA announced a new West Campus location for the hospital, much closer to Shaganappi Trail. 

The City apparently wishes to leave Shaganappi untouched. UHCA residents are concerned that, with three hospitals along Shaganappi (Foothills, the new Colonel Belcher, and the new ACH), City Hall will soon cite traffic volume as a reason to extend Shaganappi Trail across the Bow River through Edworthy Park. 

The University Heights Community Association will present its concerns to City Council’s Standing Policy Committee on Transportation, Transit and Parking on June 26th when that Committee deals with the proposed interchange and a general land use agreement with the University for development of the West Campus. As well as arguing against the interchange, UHCA will request sound attenuation and other protection for its residents in all four quadrants of the community. 

UHCA is bordered by the Trans Canada Highway and Foothills Medical complex to the south; sports facilities including McMahon and Burns Stadiums to the east; and the University Main Campus to the north.  Residents fear that development of the proposed magnitude on its western border, along with two additional major facilities at the Foothills Medical Center, would isolate the community and leave it an urban island surrounded by freeways.

Contact:    Ajit Silas
PH # (403) 220-0669