Transportation & Mobility Committee

• Priority Items

  • Preserve Dairy Laneway as a pathway and improve as a Community landmark.

    • Rezone from roadway to pathway. Improve the Dairy Laneway (between 19 St. and 18 St. at 3 AV NW) as a community park and historical treasure.

  • Improve Pedestrian/Cycling Safety on 19 St at 7 AV and 6 AV NW

    • Extend the 30 km park zone to include the crosswalk at 6 AV NW

    • Install a Rapid Rectangular Flashing Beacon at 6 AV and 19 St. NW

    • Reduce speed limit from 50 kms to 40 kms

    • Provide a sloping sidewalk on the east sidewalk at 19 St/6 AV NW

    • Paint the curb to ensure cars are not parking too close to the 6 AV NW crosswalk

    • Want to cycle in West Hillhurst? Check out our map of bike racks you can hitch to.

  • 19 St. NW Streetscape

    • Improve the pedestrian experience as per the Established Area Growth and Change Strategy consultation which began in 2019. See Riley Area Projects on City of Calgary website.

  • Kensington Rd. 

    • Implement pedestrian road safety measures for senior residents of Lion’s Village on Kensington Rd. 

    • Continue to monitor short-term safety improvements https://www.calgary.ca/roads/kensington-rd-safety-improvements.html:

    • Continue to advocate for the implementation of the 2015 Main Streets consultation, the 2017 Crowchild Trail Expansion Project

  • Protected bike lanes on ⅚ AV between 10 St and Helicopter Park NW

    • This east-west route connects an impressive number of amenities: 2 community associations, a major elementary/high school, 2 community associations, Riley Park, Helicopter Park, Grand Trunk Park and the Bowview Pool. There was consultation for this route during the Established Area Growth and Change Strategy Funding engagement with strong support for safer cycling. 

  • 18 St. NW Redesign

    • Safe Routes to School. Redesign the road from Kensington Rd. to 6 AV NW in front of Queen Elizabeth School to incorporate developer-funded commitments including RRFB and bump-out elements along with protected bicycle infrastructure.

  • 7 AV NW

    • Replace speed tables at the appropriate height for 40 km speed limit. Currently, this street has the most dangerous profile in the community. It is straight, overly wide, and between 2 major streets 19 St and 23/Crowchild Trail. Redesign and add elements to avoid cut-through and speeding traffic. 

  • Preserve and remediate the pedestrian bridge linking West Hillhurst to the St. Andrews community

  • Improve Crossings across Crowchild Trail

Some highlights of what is being proposed

A signalized light at 19 St. and Memorial. Our WHCA position was this would need to be studied and we would need to have a significant streetscaping as we feel this could turn into an alternative to 14th St. for people commuting downtown. Our transportation committee has been concerned we will have massive extra traffic through the neighborhood and the downsides outweigh the upsides.

5/6 AV bike lanes: In Chapter 3, policy 3.2.2.a.xii (p. 6) notes improvements to 5/6 Avenue: “creating separated cycling infrastructure along 5/6 Avenue NW, connecting to the cycling lane at 29 Street NW”. There is also a separate section for Kensington Road in the Neighbourhood Main Street.

Dairy Laneway Preserved as a PathwayIn Chapter 3, policy 3.2.2.f.v. (bottom of p. 9 under the 19 Street NW section) mentions the lane: “retain and improve the laneway north of 2 Avenue NW and between 19 Street NW and 18A Street NW, with a priority on pedestrian movement between 19 Street NW and 18A Street NW through resurfacing, enhanced lighting, seating and other placemaking solutions.”

Broadview ParkThe Riley Plan calls for opening up access to Broadview Park at 19 St and Memorial. Without community  consultation, the city rented one of West Hillhurst’s largest green spaces, to a long-term renter and locked it down to any public access for us. This has been raised with the city for years through our WHCA transportation committee.

Heritage GuidelinesThere are no Heritage Guideline Areas for West Hillhurst, as per the Council’s direction for defining Heritage Guideline Areas. Individual properties may be eligible for Municipal Historic Designation – homes that are currently eligible for designation are listed on the Inventory of Evaluated Historic Resources. Additionally, they utilize some of the Heritage conservation incentives and programs.

Bridge to St. Andrews This important pedestrian bridge is in the plan and there’s a call to improve it and maintain it.

Crowchild Trail crossingsThe Mobility Plan is meant to support the Riley Local Area Plan (LAP) so it will align with the LAP’s schedule as well. We are awaiting the full mobility plan.

PROPOSED CHANGE to zoning on the north side of 6th Ave between 16th and 18th ST NW: New designation would allow: 4 storey mixed commercial/retail/residential for the entire 2-block stretch
Concerns: The proposal for 6th Ave between 16th and 18th Street contravenes 3 of the 5 stated “Community Improvement core values”
The proposed change is sure to significantly increase both traffic volumes and congestion right at Queen Elizabeth Schools (Elementary, Jr. High and High Schools) bringing a significant increase in child safety risk and for all crossing the road to school, parks, green space, pool, community centre, and homes.
A change to 4 storey mixed-use on 6th Ave would also likely mean the loss of the northside boulevard and its attendant 20+ lilacs. Potential loss of over 70+ trees in front/back yards.
Negative impact on streetscape surrounding the “historic homes” at 1722 and 1726 6th Ave (they currently are designated as heritage homes).
PROVIDE YOUR FEEDBACK TO THE CITY OF CALGARY

Calgary City Council today unanimously approved the naming of The Bev Longstaff West Hillhurst Bridge. (Live Announcement at the 75 Anniversary Grand Trunk Festival https://grandtrunkfestival.com/ 2:45pm).

Bev Longstaff served as Ward 7 Councillor and, in 2001, was instrumental in increasing safety when she championed a transformational piece of infrastructure: the 21st Street NW pedestrian bridge over the Memorial Parkway. The beautifully arched bridge connects the Bow River Pathway to the West Hillhurst community and is an important commuter and recreational route. It allowed residents of West Hillhurst, Hillhurst, Parkdale and Briar Hill/Hounsfield Heights direct access to the river pathway.

“When we first moved to West Hillhurst, there was no access to the river pathway. Our Councillor’s work in bringing this bridge to our community was utterly transformative,” said Janice Paskey, West Hillhurst Transportation and Mobility Chair. “It is now used by thousands and thousands of citizens each year. This naming recognizes the work of a remarkable woman.”

The request came from supporters and the West Hillhurst Community Association, and was presented to council by Councillor Terry Wong.
“Bev’s pursuit for road and pathway safety included this pedestrian bridge. It was my honour to know and work with her,” Councillor Wong said to council. 

Bev Longstaff responds, “It was a wonderful experience to see this much needed pedestrian bridge conceived, funded and built. Now to have it named for me is a tremendous honour.”

Contact: Janice Paskey, transportation@westhilhurst.com or 587 438-6680 Live Announcement: 2:45 pm/West Hillhurst 75 Anniversary Open Air Concert, 1940 6 AV, Sept. 16 Grand Trunk

Supporting story: Calgary’s Bow River Pathway Crowchild to Edworthy Park Loop by Richard White.

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<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/6945df19d9b307766d54d0c5/1767291530959-2PEA4AYZ5O76P8WBSDGJ/west-hillhurst-community-association-transportation-committee-bev-longstaff.png?content-type=image%2Fpng">

West Hillhurst is a bustling and densifying inner-city community with busy streets, sidewalks, and bike routes. Pedestrian and cycling safety is a key concern as is speeding and inattentive traffic.

Want to cycle in West Hillhurst? Check out our map of bike racks you can hitch to.

Some priority issues the committee is working on.

1. Kensington Rd. Responding to a 150-person petition, we have new traffic safety improvements on Kensington Rd. These short-term improvements are designed to make crossing the road safer and bring the speed in alignment with the rest of Kensington Rd. The project website is here https://www.calgary.ca/roads/kensington-rd-safety-improvements.html:

Kensington Rd was the subject of a 2015 Main Streets consultation, the 2017 Crowchild Trail Expansion Project, and the 2020 Established Area Growth and Change Strategy Consultation. All engagements resulted in no changes or improvements to Kensington Rd.. Traffic pressure has built and this is the first time we’ve been able to secure some traffic monitoring and safety measures on Kensington Rd.

2. 19 St. NW Streetscape. We continue to advocate for investment in an optimal walking and cycling experience on 19 St. between 7 AV NW and the Bow River. All 3 consultation phases for this project stressed a desire to improve the pedestrian experience. We are working for best use of the Established Area Growth and Change Strategy financing funds and consultation which began in 2019.

3. Protected bike lanes on ⅚ Avenue NW. We have identified ⅚ Avenues as the optimal place for protected bike lanes. This east-west route connects an impressive number of amenities: 2 community associations, a major elementary/high school, 2 community associations, Riley Park, Helicopter Park, Grand Trunk Park and the Bowview Pool. There was consultation for this route during the Established Area Growth and Change Strategy Funding engagement with strong support for safer cycling. Designs were also drawn up.

4. Speeding and Cut Through Traffic. Identify problem areas and work with the City of Calgary Liveable Streets division on traffic calming measures.

5. Infrastructure maintenance and improvement. Ensuring sidewalks are remediated and developer infrastructure commitments are met.

If you have a concern about pedestrian, driving, or cycling safety in our community–please contact the transportation@westhillhurst.com

Better yet, chip in and join the committee. Are you passionate about pedestrian, cycling, traffic, and public transit safety in our community? The WHCA committee is looking for a diverse set of residents to make our community even better.

The Ward 7 City Councillor is Terry Wong: ward07@calgary.ca

The Calgary Police Service Community Liaison Officer is Margaret Reinders: mreinders@calgarypolice.ca