Two roads were closed: 9 ave (between 11 st sw and 8 st SE) and two blocks of 6 st se.
You could cross 9th on 11th, 8th, and 4th. This information was all easy to find (and posted by YYC Transportation) and most of it was for less than half a day. It wasn’t “dozens” of roads “or more”, nor was it “literally impossible” to get from one side to the other. It wasn’t incompetence, nor was it some unexpected event. It happens every year (multiple times if you count other events) and information is available basically everywhere.
I don’t think it’s just that technology is rotting people’s brains. I drive with GPS all the time, even when I know where I’m going (usually to find the fastest route or avoid traffic). But when I don’t have it, I’ve still developed enough navigation skills that I can get anywhere from anywhere in Calgary and a few other cities. I miss turns sometimes but just take the next one because, if you know how to drive and know how to navigate, you understand that most roads will connect to where you want to go one way or another. I think part of the issue is entitlement, especially post-pandemic. People are so used to being on their own and being able to adapt experiences to their needs that they start to feel entitled to it, even in public settings, as though failing to navigate is always someone else’s fault. “This isn’t going exactly how I expected, so now I’m mad/will do whatever I want to make it go the way I want.” Like, I’m sorry, you know 9th ave is closed and you can’t figure out that 4th and 8th go under it? Don’t be afraid to think.
When there’s a road closure you pick an alternate route. When you miss your turn you take the next one. These are basics.
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