6 minute read
Driving into the future
Airdrie City Council recently approved a Transportation Master Plan (TMP) that contains a number of recommendations including:
• the future 40th Avenue/Queen Elizabeth II (QEII) Interchange as a top priority for the city to mitigate existing traffic congestion and improved crossconnectivity across the city; • the need for support from the provincial government; • the need to address poorly and unsafe timed intersections.
The plan is a high-level long-range plan that identifies how the transportation network needs to expand and change to support Airdrie’s residents and businesses.
This plan looks at the 10-year and 20-year time horizons when Airdrie’s population will be around 140,000, which is why it is titled The 140K Plan.
The last TMP was completed in 2014 and guided the development of the transportation network through the last several years, according to E.J. White, engineering team leader at the City of Airdrie.
“Airdrie has experienced significant growth and change over that same time and the plan needs to be revisited to ensure that the transportation network will meet Airdrie’s long-term needs,” White adds.
“As the city continues to grow, improved east-west connectivity is critical to maintain the quality of life enjoyed by the city’s residents and visitors and to support the vibrancy of local businesses.”
The 140K Plan represents a holistic new approach that incorporates current industry trends, new policies and directives initiated by the City since the previous TMP, as well as new population and employment forecasts, says White.
The 140K Plan includes recommendations for infrastructure improvements over the next 10 and 20 years with high-level cost estimates, updated recommendations for goods movement, active modes, roadway cross-sections and transit considerations.
PUBLIC INPUT
White says one of the key factors in the preparation of this plan was the involvement of the community.
“The input we received during the various stakeholder sessions provided valuable input to the process and in many cases confirmed and guided the work that was done,” he adds.
Stantec was the company hired to conduct the study that informed the plan. Selby Thannikary, Stantec project manager, says one recurring concern they heard during public consultations was congestion at the QEII interchanges, particularly the Yankee Valley Boulevard interchange.
“We also heard that improving east-west connectivity on the roadway network was very important,” adds Thannikary.
“Our technical analysis matched these concerns and illustrated how congestion would continue to grow in the future if actions weren’t taken. The future 40th Avenue interchange became a critical solution as a potential relief valve to the Yankee Valley interchange and also providing a new east-west connection for the city. The particular challenge with this solution is the support needed from the Province to advance the interchange.”
On Oct. 15, Alberta Transportation announced further funding for the QEII and 40th Avenue interchange, contributing up to $21.1 million for the project.
“Today is a tremendous day for Airdrie and area,” says Mayor Peter Brown.
“We are sincerely appreciative of all those who contributed to securing this much-needed piece of infrastructure. We are grateful to Premier Kenney and Minister McIver; without their support this would not have been possible.”
Council has committed to funding the remaining portion of the interchange.
The City will be pursuing federal infrastructure dollars to help offset the cost of this project to Airdrie residents.
The detailed design of the future 40 Avenue interchange has been approved and construction on the interchange could begin as early as 2021 with a possible completion date of 2024.
THE NUMBERS
According to White, 81 per cent of participants in the public input sessions identified the need for additional east-west connections across QEII Highway.
Participants also identified traffic jams at the QE II off-ramp to Yankee Valley Boulevard as a problem, with the biggest time of concern being rush hour.
Sixty-eight per cent of participants felt that existing road infrastructure was not sufficient to accommodate rush-hour traffic.
“Some participants communicated frustration with the rapid growth of the city and the approval of new residential communities contributing to increased local traffic,” says White.
Unsafe or poorly timed intersections were identified as a concern for 53 per cent of participants.
White says as the city continues to grow in population, congestion will continue to grow at the interchange ramps, particularly at Yankee Valley Boulevard and Veterans Boulevard.
“The 40th Avenue interchange can help mitigate this, and future connections to Calgary’s Centre Street and transit network are important solutions to reduce rush hour congestion,” he adds.
The plan included a review of the city’s pedestrian and cycling networks to identify missing links within the network and improve intersection crossings.
“A balanced network that improves transit ridership, walking and cycling are also critical as sustainable transportation solutions to vehicular congestion,” White adds. life
For more information on the City of Airdrie Transportation Master Plan, visit airdrie.ca/index.cfm?serviceID=691
CITYLIFE | CHARITIES Giving back where it counts
STORY BY STACIE GAETZ
The Airdrie Knights of Columbus has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to local charities over the past 38 years.
A Catholic organization founded in 1882 in New Haven, Conn., the Knights of Columbus has grown to about 230,000 members in Canada and almost two million around the globe.
According to Airdrie member Wayne MacGillivary, the local chapter currently has about 200 members and has been in operation since 1982.
“The community has supported all of our projects over the 38 years that our council has been in existence,” says MacGillivary.
Last year, the organization contributed approximately 10,000 pounds of food to Airdrie Food Bank. They support the Coats for Kids program and Habitat for Humanity; assist with barbeques and pancake lunches at local schools; collect bursaries for all local high schools; and contribute to many organizations such as the Airdrie and District Hospice Society, Special Olympics and much more.
“On the average, we donate more than $20,000 annually back to Airdrie and district schools, churches, youth groups and community organizations,” says MacGillivary.
Airdrie Dream Vacation Draw
About four years ago, the Airdrie Knights of Columbus started The Airdrie Dream Vacation Draw to raise funds for local causes and although this year is a little different, members hope the draw can raise as much money as years past.
“This year there will be an emphasis on staycations because of COVID,” says MacGillivary.
Ticket holders can win a $2,500 dream vacation travel voucher through Carlson Wagonlit Travel and have the option of taking 80 per cent of the cash value if they do not wish to travel.
There are also four monthly draws of $120. The first monthly draw will be on April 4 and continue monthly for 12 months.
The early bird draw will take place on Feb. 14 and includes $1,000 in Save-OnFoods gift cards, in addition to a $1,000 draw and two $500 draws.
“People have a chance to take a trip of their choosing and a chance to dream a little,” says MacGillivary.
Tickets are $120 and can be purchased online at airdriedreamvacation.ca beginning Dec. 1. life
Airdrie Dream Vacation Lottery Draw 2021
Monthly draws commence April 4, 2021
$38,760
In Prizes
12 FABULOUS $2500 TRAVEL GIFT CARDS
Plus 4 monthly Cash Prizes of $120
EARLY BIRD DRAW
Valued at $3,000 Feb 14, 2021
Canadian Stay-cation
TICKETS $120
Only 600 tickets printed you are eligible for all 12 draws.
CARLSON WAGONLIT CWL_07_0774_Logo_Carlson_Print 22/02/2007 ÉQUIVALENCE PANTONES ÉQUIVALENCES QUADRI
PANTONE 320 C CYAN 100% JAUNE 40%
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Illustrator version 10 ou ultérieure).
PANTONE 485 C MAGENTA 100% JAUNE 100%
