Crazy video from Deerfoot Trail this afternoon

[You Need a Thneed]

Originally Posted by V

A bridge structure over a freeway these days goes for somewhere in the range of $200k. Timing can quite often take around 6 months.

As was mentioned above, the province maintains the Deerfoot, but back when I was in Calgary the talks were around the province handing ownership of the Deerfoot back to the City in 2014. I don't know if that's still on track or not, but if it is, I can't see the province spending much money to fix this issue. They would probably look at this particular bridge structure in isolation and ignore the rest of the underdesigned structures on the Deerfoot unless the City wants to start kicking in some money to help pay for the program.

The province is in the process currently of adding signage and replacing signs on Deerfoot. Replaceing those older structures could be added to that contract.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

The city and province are squabbling over that point. The current council is divided on it, with some (Colley-Urquhart leading) wanting to regain control of the road (and do stupid things like reduce speed limits and close accesses) sooner, while others want the province to keep it. Most insist that the province complete upgrades and fixes before handing it back.

What accesses are they looking to close? The one I can think of that would make sense is to get rid of the access from Southland onto SB Deerfoot. All traffic from Southland has other options like Glenmore or Acadia to Anderson; and that would get rid of that weave at a trouble spot.

[Resolute 14]

Not so much a plan, but rather Colley-Urquhart spitballing without actually thinking about it.

http://www.calgarysun.com/2012/08/05...rfoot-takeover

With the trucks gone, Colley-Urquhart says the city could then look at reducing the number of access points to Deerfoot Tr., either through lights or closure.

“We’ve looked at ramp metering, which allows so many to get on at certain times and there are pros and cons,” said Colley-Urquhart.

“But there are 92 access points onto Deerfoot which is just a recipe for accidents and insurance claims — what other major highway in Alberta has 92 access points? It’s ridiculous.”

Delisting the Deerfoot as a highway, slowing down traffic and reducing the merge-lane chaos are solutions, but Colley-Urquhart says Calgary needs ownership.

I like how she uses "92 access points" rather than noting there are about 20 interchanges in the city proper, over a length of 40 KM. She's obviously counting each on and off ramp separately. And even then, I'm not sure the math works.

As for what access one would close? I honestly can't think of any. It's not practical to expect traffic on Southland to go all the way up to Glenmore (or more likely, Deerfoot Meadows) then double back. Nor would residents in Acadia like to see their roads become a commuter route. The fix there is to build proper flyover ramps so that traffic exiting for Anderson/Bow Bottom doesn't have to weave with traffic entering from Southland. The city/province made a big mistake by not making that part of the required access upgrades the developer of Deerfoot Meadows had to pay for.


There really isn't anything that can be closed without causing chaos elsewhere.

[moncton golden flames]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

developer of Deerfoot Meadows

ken mariash for the record.

[SeeBass]

Originally Posted by moncton golden flames

ken mariash for the record.

Is that Champions name?

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

As for what access one would close? I honestly can't think of any. It's not practical to expect traffic on Southland to go all the way up to Glenmore (or more likely, Deerfoot Meadows) then double back. Nor would residents in Acadia like to see their roads become a commuter route. The fix there is to build proper flyover ramps so that traffic exiting for Anderson/Bow Bottom doesn't have to weave with traffic entering from Southland.

While I agree a proper interchange is the best solution to the problem; it's also the most costly. However I disagree that people would be doubling back to Glenmore. I think it would be more a case of people staying on Glenmore to Deerfoot instead of taking Blackfoot.

I really think there is a bit of a conundrum there. Traffic backs up so people take an alternate route. It it the people avoiding the congestion that are causing more congestion. The more it backs up, the more people take Blackfoot, which makes it back up more.

[moncton golden flames]

Originally Posted by SeeBass

Is that Champions name?

owner/developer of deerfoot meadows.

[calgaryrocks]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Not so much a plan, but rather Colley-Urquhart spitballing without actually thinking about it.

http://www.calgarysun.com/2012/08/05...rfoot-takeover


I like how she uses "92 access points" rather than noting there are about 20 interchanges in the city proper, over a length of 40 KM. She's obviously counting each on and off ramp separately. And even then, I'm not sure the math works.

As for what access one would close? I honestly can't think of any. It's not practical to expect traffic on Southland to go all the way up to Glenmore (or more likely, Deerfoot Meadows) then double back. Nor would residents in Acadia like to see their roads become a commuter route. The fix there is to build proper flyover ramps so that traffic exiting for Anderson/Bow Bottom doesn't have to weave with traffic entering from Southland. The city/province made a big mistake by not making that part of the required access upgrades the developer of Deerfoot Meadows had to pay for.


There really isn't anything that can be closed without causing chaos elsewhere.

yep, but something should be done. they really do need to fix that anderson/southland/deerfoot/bow bottom interchange. and people already use willow park (acadia drive from southland to anderson) as a commuter route (including myself) to avoid that interchange. I take blackfoot to southland then acadia as it is usually faster then waiting to get onto deerfoot to then get back on anderson.

[Mazrim]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

The city/province made a big mistake by not making that part of the required access upgrades the developer of Deerfoot Meadows had to pay for.

They never could force that upon the developer. Only stuff in the direct vicinity (ie. the new Southland exit and underpass) could be forced on them.

Anyway, DCU is kidding herself if she thinks they will close any current access on Deerfoot. It will never happen, period. The only thing that WILL happen, is changes to improve those accesses.

This whole "access point" this is garbage anyways. Guess what DCU, you're in an urban environment, it's going to happen no matter what you want. Why do you think the ring road is going in? As my Alderman, I wish she would stop wasting her time arguing about stupid crap like this, and concentrated on her own ward, where we have enough traffic problems to deal with.