Road improvements allow for better pedestrian access along 60 Street

September 16, 2008

(Red Deer, Alberta) – Road improvements and construction on a new pedestrian corridor on 60 Street means users will soon see better links to Red Deer’s trail and pathway network when work wraps up this fall.

Construction along 60 Street between 51 Avenue and 54 Avenue began earlier this summer and completion is expected in the next few weeks.

“During public consultation with the community, the need for improved pedestrian links in this area was identified. It’s something residents in this area have wanted for some time,” said Michael Williston, Transportation Engineer.

The addition of a new sidewalk along the north side of 60 Street was just part of pedestrian corridor improvements that came out of the 2005 Red Deer Trails Master Plan, which aimed to expand the city’s collector trail system over the next few years. Collector trails provide important pedestrian and bicycle connections to the rest of the trail network, to transit and within and between neighborhoods.

A steep embankment on the north side of 60 Street created design difficulties. The space required to add pedestrian links while maintaining the current roadway design was not possible. After conducting a traffic study in the area, it was determined that the traffic volumes on 60 Street are moderate and that reconfiguring the roadway would still allow adequate traffic flow through the area.

As a result, short sections of 60 Street were reduced from four lanes of traffic to two lanes with the addition of designated turning bays and medians. This new design was the most cost effective way for The City to add these pedestrian links without the need of a costly retaining wall. This new design concept was approved by City Council in November of 2005.

“Our traffic study projected this new road configuration will provide adequate traffic flow through the area until our population reaches 115,000 at least, which isn’t projected until 2020,” said Williston.

Motorists are advised of changes to traffic flow in the area and reminded to obey all construction signs, and to slow down while the final phases of construction are completed.

New pavement markings and signs will be installed this fall to assist with traffic flow in the area.

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For more information, contact:

Michael Williston
Transportation Engineer
The City of Red Deer
403-342-8158