Crowchild Trail proposals include building a tunnel
'We've been truly open minded with this project,' says Coun. Druh Farrell
The ongoing saga of what to do with Crowchild Trail near the Bow River now has another chapter, including a proposal to build a tunnel from Kensington Road to University Drive N.W.
- See the plans for the Crowchild Trail tunnel
"The public kept on asking for us to test the underground idea, and it may seem pie in the sky — and it certainly did initially — but when administration reviewed it, it is quite a viable option," said Coun. Druh Farrell.
The tunnel is just one proposal for improving traffic on the roadway, from 17th Avenue in the south, north to 24th Avenue.
Open minded
A previous city plan for alleviating congestion in 2012 involved interchanges, a new bridge and gobbling up nearby properties. That plan was met with opposition from area residents and was rejected by city council, sending administration back to the drawing board.
Farrell said the city is doing a better job this time around, listening to any and all ideas.
"We've been truly open minded with this project," she said.
If the tunnel were to happen, the street above would be narrowed and turned into a residential roadway.
Lynn Pearce sits on the board of the non-profit Ten Thousand Villages, which has a store on Crowchild in the affected area.
She said she understands something needs to be done, but she doesn't support going underground.
"I think they would probably have to take our land. Well I would assume we'd relocate, that's not what we'd like to do," she said.
Long-term benefits
Farrell said there are benefits to tunneling, even though it is a pricey option.
"Certainly the tunnel is great for easing congestion, so it would be clear through traffic without any lights. It would eliminate the need for interchanges," she said.
"And if you look at the long-term cost benefit it is certainly more costly, there's no question about that, but the long-term benefit is there's more land available for redevelopment at the end fo the day."
There is no price tag attached to the tunnel proposal at this point, but the city is already collecting feedback online for all Crowchild plans. Open houses to hear from the public start on June 13.
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With files from Colleen Underwood