Ongoing Calgarians complaining about pedestrian bridges thread

[LeftWing]

Originally Posted by octothorp

I was just down there about an hour ago, and in the 10 minutes or so I took to cross the bridge and cross back, I passed 27 other pedestrians (mostly joggers) and eight cyclists (I was counting, because I was curious). There was never a moment during the time I crossed when there were less than 10 people on the bridge. That seems pretty good usage to me, and it will only get busier over time.

Huh, weird. I was in a meeting from 1:00 'till now, but looking out right now ... again, I don't want everyone to get in a rage, but there's two people standing in front of the downtown side, and nothing else. No back and forth traffic, no cycling, no jogging, no nothing. Maybe it was the lunch rush? I can post some pics from here if anyone thinks I'm making it up.

Edit: I just took a minute long video of ... nothing. Let me know if you want to see it and I'll post it to YouTube. Crazy how the traffic just drops off like that hey?

[octothorp]

Originally Posted by LeftWing

Huh, weird. I was in a meeting from 1:00 'till now, but looking out right now ... again, I don't want everyone to get in a rage, but there's two people standing in front of the downtown side, and nothing else. No back and forth traffic, no cycling, no jogging, no nothing. Maybe it was the lunch rush? I can post some pics from here if anyone thinks I'm making it up.

Edit: I just took a minute long video of ... nothing. Let me know if you want to see it and I'll post it to YouTube. Crazy how the traffic just drops off like that hey?

Yeah, I was probably there during the lunch rush (around 12:45), and about 12 of the pedestrians I saw were in a single running group. I don't doubt you at all, but I think there's probably a significant variation across a day. Morning and evening commuter traffic and lunch-hour joggers are always going to be the peaks, mid-morning and mid-afternoon I could see being really slow, especially during the winter. I'd expect that as weather improves, you'd see more off-peak users, but time will tell.

[LeftWing]

Originally Posted by octothorp

I think there's probably a significant variation across a day. Morning and evening commuter traffic and lunch-hour joggers are always going to be the peaks, mid-morning and mid-afternoon I could see being really slow, especially during the winter. I'd expect that as weather improves, you'd see more off-peak users, but time will tell.

Yep, true enough.

[kevman]

Originally Posted by Boblobla

I will use the new bridge when the move the memorial crossing closer to the bridge, it would add distance to my walk to work currently.

Well judging by the footprints in the mud at 8th st. the lack of a cross walk doesn't seem to bother many people...

I also noticed the lack of a path on the south side to 7th st. didn't seem to deter people from taking the shortest path. I wonder if linking the bridge to 7th st. with a path is in the long term plan? I never understood how planners can't figure out that pedestrians will always walk in a straight line from a to b when given the chance.

Aesthetically I found it pretty "meh" but that could have been the weather. It felt very "European" with contemporary styling surrounded by dark and dreary weather...

[Muta]

Why does this bridge have to be at full capacity to be a success? It exists for more reasons than just that.

If capacity was the ulitmate measurement of success, they should tear down all the pedestrian bridges in that area and put a Los Angeles freeway across the river. That'll get people moving.

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Originally Posted by LeftWing

Huh, weird. I was in a meeting from 1:00 'till now, but looking out right now ... again, I don't want everyone to get in a rage, but there's two people standing in front of the downtown side, and nothing else. No back and forth traffic, no cycling, no jogging, no nothing. Maybe it was the lunch rush? I can post some pics from here if anyone thinks I'm making it up.

Edit: I just took a minute long video of ... nothing. Let me know if you want to see it and I'll post it to YouTube. Crazy how the traffic just drops off like that hey?

Dude are you serious?
Look out any window durring downtown, and you'll see next to no traffic between 8:00-11:30 and 1:30-4:30. Weird how that works.
I'm looking at Stephen Ave right now and it's deserted.
Guess we should do away with it and just turn it into a regular road eh?

[zuluking]

Originally Posted by kevman

Well judging by the footprints in the mud at 8th st. the lack of a cross walk doesn't seem to bother many people...

I also noticed the lack of a path on the south side to 7th st. didn't seem to deter people from taking the shortest path. I wonder if linking the bridge to 7th st. with a path is in the long term plan? I never understood how planners can't figure out that pedestrians will always walk in a straight line from a to b when given the chance.

Aesthetically I found it pretty "meh" but that could have been the weather. It felt very "European" with contemporary styling surrounded by dark and dreary weather...

New city revenue stream: jaywalking tickets at Memorial and Peace Bridge

[Muta]

Originally Posted by zuluking

New city revenue stream: jaywalking tickets at Memorial and Peace Bridge

Hahaha, they should have temporarily taxed everyone who bad-mouthed the bridge. It would have been paid for a long-time ago.

[Jimmy Stang]

Originally Posted by kevman

Well judging by the footprints in the mud at 8th st. the lack of a cross walk doesn't seem to bother many people...

I also noticed the lack of a path on the south side to 7th st. didn't seem to deter people from taking the shortest path. I wonder if linking the bridge to 7th st. with a path is in the long term plan? I never understood how planners can't figure out that pedestrians will always walk in a straight line from a to b when given the chance.

Even though the city (last I heard) has decided that the crosswalk will stay at 7th instead of moving it to 8th, I can't see it remaining that way forever. Moving the crosswalk would be more beneficial to pedestrians and cyclists, and won't hinder automobile traffic at all.

Didn't this come up in the press a few months back and there was a typical Sun-esque knee jerk reaction because "everyone" thought that there would be two crosswalks instead of one and would create carmaggedon on Memorial? Just move the existing one over - everyone wins.

[Bigtime]

The city did a survey on moving the crosswalk and something like 60% of the respondents voted to keep it at 7th. However the word was there was confusion because a lot of the respondents thought the proposed 8th street crossing would no longer allow left turns from eastbound Memorial (which I believe was incorrect).

The other issue is the grade difference between the bridge landing and the road below.

Edit: And yes a bunch of people also wrongly assumed that the 7th street lights would stay. I think the point that it would not stay was made clear to the people that did the survey.

[TurnedTheCorner]

So the bridge is open now?

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by TurnedTheCorner

So the bridge is open now?

I read everything you write in Eeyore's voice.

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by TurnedTheCorner

So the bridge is open now?

It opened on Saturday at 2pm, but I hear it just got closed down for maintenance...

[Jimmy Stang]

Originally Posted by Bigtime

The city did a survey on moving the crosswalk and something like 60% of the respondents voted to keep it at 7th. However the word was there was confusion because a lot of the respondents thought the proposed 8th street crossing would no longer allow left turns from eastbound Memorial (which I believe was incorrect).

The other issue is the grade difference between the bridge landing and the road below.

Edit: And yes a bunch of people also wrongly assumed that the 7th street lights would stay. I think the point that it would not stay was made clear to the people that did the survey.

Thanks for the clarification. I wonder how long it'll be before everyone involved goes "ahhhhh" and realizes that there is a more efficient way. I guess that once people start using it and seeing how others use it, perhaps the idea will be revisited.

[LeftWing]

Originally Posted by Bring_Back_Shantz

Dude are you serious?
Look out any window durring downtown, and you'll see next to no traffic between 8:00-11:30 and 1:30-4:30. Weird how that works.
I'm looking at Stephen Ave right now and it's deserted.
Guess we should do away with it and just turn it into a regular road eh?

Dude, are you serious?
Everyone is polarized about a gazillion dollar bridge that will get little to no use between 8:00 - 11:30 and 1:30 - 4:30 all year long, or when it's raining, snowing, hailing, or cold? Weird how that works. I'm looking at the Peace bridge right now and it's deserted.

The other thing you said is just plain silly.

[kevman]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Stang

Even though the city (last I heard) has decided that the crosswalk will stay at 7th instead of moving it to 8th, I can't see it remaining that way forever. Moving the crosswalk would be more beneficial to pedestrians and cyclists, and won't hinder automobile traffic at all.

Didn't this come up in the press a few months back and there was a typical Sun-esque knee jerk reaction because "everyone" thought that there would be two crosswalks instead of one and would create carmaggedon on Memorial? Just move the existing one over - everyone wins.

After reading the survey to Sunnyside residents I got the impression that's what most residents wanted. However, in my opinion due to the poor wording of the survey most people voted to leave it as is. It was split in to 3 options that if you read it closely were:
1 - Cross walk at 7th st.
2 a - Cross walk at 8th st.
2 b - Cross walk at 8th st. remove existing crosswalk.
Option 2a & 2b combined got over 50% of the votes but option 1 was the majority and it was left as is. A very popular comment was along the lines of "please don't close another road in our community". Being a resident of Sunnyside and having just read the Bow to Bluff plan I can't help but feel the same way. Walking is cool and all but being able to conveniently drive home without needing to make an illegal turn is a nice touch.

Anyway I reckon you're right - there will be a cross walk at 8th st. very soon.

Edit: Oops, majority did in fact vote to keep 7th. Full report here. However, after reading the comments again I can't help but feel the majority still wanted it at 8th st. Comments like "the bridge is a waste anyway why waste more money?" while valid missed the point of the survey. Other comments like "too many crossings already (centre, 3rd, 7th and 10th)" indicate a lack of understanding that the 7th st. crosswalk was to be moved.

[Ozy_Flame]

^^ LeftWing, that wasn't the intent of your comment. You were arguing like it's deserted all the time, not just between certain hours. I read it the same as Bring_Back_Shantz.

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

Originally Posted by LeftWing

Dude, are you serious?
Everyone is polarized about a gazillion dollar bridge that will get little to no use between 8:00 - 11:30 and 1:30 - 4:30 all year long, or when it's raining, snowing, hailing, or cold? Weird how that works. I'm looking at the Peace bridge right now and it's deserted.

The other thing you said is just plain silly.

Why not do away with the entire bike path system while you are at it? I have mixed feelings about the bridge but at the very least it is something different in a city has been crying out for something different relative to the big box buildings and blase bridges. It wasn't cheap and I do question the logistics of the thing but now that it is up and the bills have been paid, why worry about it?

[kermitology]

Originally Posted by kevman

Well judging by the footprints in the mud at 8th st. the lack of a cross walk doesn't seem to bother many people...

I also noticed the lack of a path on the south side to 7th st. didn't seem to deter people from taking the shortest path. I wonder if linking the bridge to 7th st. with a path is in the long term plan? I never understood how planners can't figure out that pedestrians will always walk in a straight line from a to b when given the chance.

Aesthetically I found it pretty "meh" but that could have been the weather. It felt very "European" with contemporary styling surrounded by dark and dreary weather...

You can blame that kind of thing not on planners, but on transportation engineers. Planners are always looking at walkability of neighbourhoods, TOD sites, etc.

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Originally Posted by LeftWing

Dude, are you serious?
Everyone is polarized about a gazillion dollar bridge that will get little to no use between 8:00 - 11:30 and 1:30 - 4:30 all year long, or when it's raining, snowing, hailing, or cold? Weird how that works. I'm looking at the Peace bridge right now and it's deserted.

The other thing you said is just plain silly.

How is that silly?
Stephen Ave is a multi million dollar project that get's virtually no use durring those same hours, and durring those same weather conditions, so why no opposition to that?

Clearly that space could be used to reduce congestion in the core right?