West Lethbridge priorities need to be assessed

By Letter to the Editor on June 17, 2021.

Editor:
When we moved to Lethbridge in 1967, there was a common community understanding that the third bridge land reserve was in the City master plan just north of Tudor Estates.
Mark Lenchucka’s letter clearly shows the City’s priority planning in the Municipal Development Plan (MDP) with single occupancy automobile being the last priority.
And, Mark notes the third bridge is missing from the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).
The debate on the requirement of a third bridge is exhaustive.
The response from City engineers remains: utilization statistic on the Whoop-Up bridge does not warrant construction of a third bridge.
As the debate continues, three immediate steps need to be undertaken to assess the priorities of West Lethbridge residents:
1. An independent survey on what the priority is for the construction of the third bridge in the context of the MDP and the CIP, or a referendum on what the priority is;
2. The release by the City on the utilization rates of the numerous walking and bicycle trails, and;
3. Overall support for capital expenditures on electric buses and terminals in the context of utilization rates on the existing transportation services provided by the City.
Should the City be willing to address these steps we can expect that residents will express a very high priority on a third bridge, utilization rates on trails is low meaning the City need not invest in additional trails, and utilization of the transportation service is also low meaning there is a much higher priority.
For those who use existing bridges, congestion, traffic interruption and emergency backup plans when bridge access is compromised are well understood.
During the fall municipal election, voters need to understand where candidates are on this issue.
In the Herald’s coverage on Blaine Hyggen’s announcement for the position of Mayor, Blaine has expressed his support for the construction of a third bridge ahead of other approved plans.
John Percevault
Lethbridge