Plans for Chinook Trail river crossing are flawed
By Lethbridge Herald on March 10, 2023.
Editor;
Arguments for the Chinook Trail over the Popson Park alternative include that it provides an improved connection between residential areas in the southwest to the commercial areas in the southeast. But what about bringing more noise to the residential areas of Agnes Davidson, Scenic Heights, Park Royal, and Chinook Heights already affected by the noisy Scenic Drive?
Access to the commercial areas would be much better served from the south with the Popson Park alternative rather than through the already congested Mayor Magrath Drive, Scenic Drive 24 Ave intersection.
With the Chinook Trail joining Scenic at 20th Street, one would need to put up with up to eight traffic lights before reaching Costco and Superstore. From the south, there would be only three or four traffic lights, much lighter traffic and much better connections to the college. Furthermore, the Scenic Drive , 24 Avenue and Mayor Magrath Drive intersection is already super congested. Why pour more vehicles here?
And how will the connection to Scenic Drive be handled with both Tudor Crescent and 20th Street at the same intersection? Another bottleneck! Current city plans are to align 43rd St (Highway 4) from South Parkside Drive along the side of the railway tracks to join Highway 4 behind the Evergreen Golf Centre.
Wouldn’t it make sense to then make a connection southward from Highway 4 to join the Popson Park route just north of the airport?
This would create a much-needed ring road keeping rapidly moving and noisy traffic away from the residential areas.
Have the residences that would be affected been consulted before this decision was made by the traffic bureaucrats with no concern for the residents involved?
Mark Goettel
Lethbridge
11-10
Is the current study on the Scenic/Chinook trail for a two lane of four lane highway/bridge???
The same amount of traffic flows down Scenic Drive to go to those commercial areas and to access other areas in that south region. I cannot see how the areas you state would be impacted any differently. The homes along the proposed area in Tudor Estates would be impacted.
The area north of the airport you suggest is not within the limits of the City of Lethbridge.
any new bridge, wherever it gets strewn, had best be a toll bridge. user pay, period.