Traffic redesign plan for 3 Avenue much-needed for the area

By Lethbridge Herald on February 1, 2023.

Editor: 

I’m afraid I must disagree with Mr. B. Ewing’s assertion that re-designing traffic flow along the 3rd Avenue South corridor between Stafford Drive and Mayor Magrath Drives South will be harmful to the community. 

Mr. Ewing neglects to realize that the whole of the Warehouse District does not exist to move motor vehicles from one space to the next, but is rather a place of commerce for over 300 local businesses, is bordered by neighbourhoods with over 10,000 residents within walking distance, and indeed is undergoing a dramatic shift in its use, with many of the larger lots being speculated for high-density residential development. 

Perhaps Mr. Ewing doesn’t realize that the bike lanes, as drawn out in the documents presented at the Community Conversation he mentioned, are separated from traffic, allowing for much safer pedestrian and cyclist access to the area? 

Perhaps he’s unaware that traffic along this corridor moves too quickly due to its poor design and heightens the risk for pedestrians and cyclists in this area? 

While it is true that the 3 Avenue area is a business area, it is also true that the businesses and residents who do live in the area have expressed to council that street trees/canopy, to cool the area in the heat of summer, have been needed for decades. 

I can only assume that Mr. Ewing wrote his letter as a frustrated driver since his only concern seems to be for the inconvenience of the drivers and not for the pedestrians who are so often being struck by irresponsible motorists moving too quickly through public spaces, as he cites in his letter. 

The re-design of the street will not only improve traffic flow, it opens up the use of the street for more opportunity by the public. 

It’s a good design and badly needed for this long-neglected part of the city. 

Parking will be easier and safer to access, traffic will be slowed but not stopped (heaven forbid it takes an extra 2.5 minutes to traverse 15 blocks), and safety for pedestrians and cyclists will be taken into account. This plan will breathe new life into this space. I, for one, am excited for it. 

Kelti Baird 

Business owner in the district in question