Ongoing Calgarians complaining about pedestrian bridges thread

[worth]

Looks fantastic!

[4X4]

Haha. From that angle it looks like it's uphill both ways. Calling all curmudgeons!

[Cube Inmate]

I've always hated the cost. I've always hated the location. I've always hated the delays. But now that I see it completely unveiled, it turns out I hate the design too. Way to ruin the natural beauty of the river!

[You Need a Thneed]

The comparison to the bridge in Toronto is looking quite hilarious righ now. How anyone can think that that's a similar looking bridge is beyond me.

The concrete girders for the Deerfoot bridge over the Bow river south of he 22x are only half as long, and are 10-12 feet deep. It's amazing that this bridge holds itself up with very little "continuous" steel across the bridge.


I'm really looking forward to walking and riding across.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by Cube Inmate

I've always hated the cost. I've always hated the location. I've always hated the delays. But now that I see it completely unveiled, it turns out I hate the design too. Way to ruin the natural beauty of the river!

Should have had a bridge with a bunch of piers in the water instead.

[trew]

Originally Posted by kevman

Well apparently you're one of the few intelligent residents in the community!

A year and a half ago I lived bath robe stumbling distance to Vendome and got nothing??? bah!

So really there were 3 options...
1) Leave things as they are (worst scenario for vehicles and pedestrians)
2) Move it to 8th, close 8th (better for pedestrians, still bad for vehicles)
3) Move it to 8th, keep 8th open (best for pedestrians AND cars)

Makes sense to pick option 1...

That survey was so badly worded. The last option was the no-brainer choice, but given how they phrased it...

Option B (All turns): Install a pedestrian signal at 8 St N.W. and allow all turns outside of peak traffic periods.

... Many of the people who objected to the crosswalk move did so because they assumed that it was going to mean an end to left hand turns onto 8th street from Memorial during rush hour. I don't know if this was really the case, as I think the "all turns outside of peak traffic periods" was simply refering to the fact that right hand turns are currently not allowed during rush hour, and the addition of a pedestrian crossing would not change this.

I've read through the comments of the survey, and to me it's pretty clear that only the car commuters are really voicing objections to the crosswalk. What I find hilarious is that there are several comments mentioning how it is reasonable to ask people to walk a couple extra blocks to cross the street, but it is not reasonable to ask drivers to travel one extra block to turn on 9th st instead of 8th (assuming that would even be necessary, which it likely wouldn't).

[stampsx2]

This bridge looks fantastic. A year and a half ago everybody hated it, the cost, the design, the overseas contract. Now, out of the last 20 posts I've read there is only one that still doesn't like it. Good news.

[Madman]

Originally Posted by 4X4

Haha. From that angle it looks like it's uphill both ways. Calling all curmudgeons!

The arc in the bridge will settle once they pour the concrete pathway and it won't look so arcy.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by stampsx2

This bridge looks fantastic. A year and a half ago everybody hated it, the cost, the design, the overseas contract. Now, out of the last 20 posts I've read there is only one that still doesn't like it. Good news.

Still hate the cost
Still hate the process the city used to award the contract
Still hate how the city prioritized this over other more pressing city needs.

But it's done and there's no point arguing about it further.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Still hate the cost
Still hate the process the city used to award the contract
Still hate how the city prioritized this over other more pressing city needs.

But it's done and there's no point arguing about it further.

But this is a message board!

[CaptainCrunch]

Same boat as Jiri, and I still don't like the look.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

But this is a message board!

True enough. Frankly my big beef is that I can think of a long list of better ways to spend 25 million dollars and have a greater impact on our city.

And if the city ends up footing the bill for any cost over-runs this issue will bubble right back up to the surface.

[4X4]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

True enough. Frankly my big beef is that I can think of a long list of better ways to spend 25 million dollars and have a greater impact on our city.

And if the city ends up footing the bill for any cost over-runs this issue will bubble right back up to the surface.

A giant magnifying glass? An escalator to nowhere?

[SebC]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

True enough. Frankly my big beef is that I can think of a long list of better ways to spend 25 million dollars and have a greater impact on our city.

As part of a larger project, for sure. But the question is, and always was, "What could the city get for $50 million without having other funds to go with it, and that would qualify under the provincial program that provided the funds?"

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Frankly my big beef is that I can think of a long list of better ways to spend 25 million dollars and have a greater impact on our city.

Curious to see this list.

[jayswin]

Rick Bell is celebrating the almost completion of the bridge by....wait for it...........a column explaining that he's still mad about it. Yes, a carbon copy of any number of columns he wrote on the bridge a couple of years ago. But hey, may as well remind us of your position, because people may have forgotten.

http://www.calgarysun.com/2011/11/26...erness-lingers

Peace Bridge: Bitternesss still lingers

“I don’t think it will deter us from moving forward with other important pieces of architecture.”

Be afraid, be very afraid.

Jesus, that read like a childrens scary TV show.

[stampsx2]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

True enough. Frankly my big beef is that I can think of a long list of better ways to spend 25 million dollars and have a greater impact on our city.

....and as soon as you list a couple there will be people against it. We will never unanimously agree on where that kind of money should be spent.

This bridge is something for all Calgarians and helps a bit more with tourism. I like the bridge and I don't live anywhere near downtown.

As a matter of fact, seeing this bridge now makes me want to vote against any alderman that had opposed it.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by fotze

Rinks and overpasses, I'm thinking.

I can see how a rink would be nice, but there would be a hell of a lot of people who would never use that rink either.

To be honest, outside of some sort of public transportation or cultural institution funding (ie, science-center like institution or LRT leg), I don't really see anything that would have as much impact on an average Calgarian over the long-term....and even then you'd have to multiply it a few times. $25 million really is peanuts.

The only thing I can think of is the development of more quality park space. Calgary could really use additions and upgrades on this front.

[Fire]

They should have used the $25 million to help build more recreational facilities. The lack of facilities in this city is embarrassing.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Curious to see this list.

Development of the area surrounding the Pumphouse Theatre and the theatre itself

Rinks and Fitness Centres

LRT leg for the SE.

Off the top of my head.