How will traffic be managed at the new Airdrie Multi-Use Facility and Library?

Airdrie's City Council accepted the results of a traffic assessment surrounding the new Airdrie Multi-Use Facility and Library (AMUFL).

CIMA+ Canada Inc., which carried out the assessment, concluded in their report that was presented to council that, 'signalization is required at the intersections of Elk Hill/Ridgegate and Main Street and at the southernmost entrance with Towerlane Centre/BMO/AHS.'

"This is intended as an ‘interim condition’ until a full evaluation of Main Street as the central axis of downtown can be conducted, complete with public and stakeholder engagement. The new traffic signals have been planned for in the 2025 Capital budget," City documents stated. 

CIMA+ Canada Inc., which carried out the assessment, concluded in their report that, 'signalization is required at the intersections of Elk Hill/Ridgegate and Main Street and at the southernmost entrance with Towerlane Centre/BMO/AHS.' (Graphic credit to CIMA+ Canada Inc. / City of Airdrie)
 

According to Rene Rosvold an Associate Partner with CIMA+ Canada Inc., the study consisted of three intersections and two accesses on Main Street in addition to the proposed library access. Initially, four scenarios were considered.

She added that their analysis pinpointed that drivers at three existing intersections: The tower Lane Center South access point, the East access point (just South of the proposed library access) and Ridgegate Way would experience more delay than desirable.

"Based on the results of the analysis, given the feedback from the stakeholders, and the challenges with consolidating the accesses to the east of the development, along with a desire to have something in place for opening day, Scenario three, which is signalization at Tower Lane Centre, South access and Ridgegate Way was identified as the preferred solution." 

However, City documents also underlined that, 'nothing in the design or installation of these signals precludes the ability to apply alternate design standards to Main Street in the future.'

"The signals can be disassembled and placed on a future arterial road (and repaid through development levies) if they prove no longer necessary."

Although Councillor Chapman inquired about whether traffic noise was part of the study, Michelle Lock with Community Services said that it was not a part of the traffic study.

City documents underlined that the installation of the signalization lights will, 'provide improved pedestrian access and connectivity from Airdrie Meadows and Edgewater to the Nose Creek pathways and environmental corridor.'

"Signalizing these two intersections reduces the need for the existing mid-block pedestrian crossing of Main Street at ATB Financial, where it connects to the bus shelter adjacent to Towerlane Centre. Installation of signals at these two intersections addresses the level of service standards for this section of Main Street to the greatest extent possible in the interim."

The opening of the new Library and Multi-Use Facility is currently set for 2025 and is currently being constructed on the site of Airdrie’s old fire hall located on Main Street SE.

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