Closing 43 Street would be a big mistake
A bylaw, awaiting city council approval, and providing for the immediate closure of some parts of 43 Street South, would create a huge impact on Fairmont, Coulee Creek and Southgate areas of southeast Lethbridge.
Developers have painted a pretty picture of a new community, Southbrook, and hopes for a long-awaited new school in this area which might be a very positive improvement for our city, but at what cost to all current citizens? I do not question the excitement and possibility of our city growing and expanding. I do, however, question the presentation and speed with which this process will take place.
Information I have gathered indicates that a portion of 43 Street south of Highway 4 would be permanently closed by May 1, 2018.
Currently 43 Street South provides an arterial and much-needed access road to all of southeast Lethbridge. An attempted road closure in the recent past created all sorts of problems with vehicles travelling around barriers and out into the adjacent farmland to move in and out of the residential areas. About a year ago the city built up and paved the section they are about to close permanently to alleviate this problem. To me, this implies the necessity of access roads.
Presently no time frame was mentioned of replacing or providing an alternate route into this area of our city. Would it be two years, five years or more? This delay in building a new arterial road would force residents currently in the southeast corner of our city to travel Mayor Magrath Drive or Fairmont Road, a quiet residential street, as a means of accessing the rest of our city.
I’m not opposed to new development but my major concern (and I wonder how many others) is the immediate closure of 43rd and the impact this will have on traffic flow to large business and residential areas in the southeast. How might this affect the access of service and emergency vehicles into this area?
Is there a possibility that the school could be moved a short distance east to allow 43 Street to remain open and provide the muchneeded access to south Lethbridge? If not, I feel the city should provide an alternate route prior to passing the second and third reading of the bylaw presented.
I encourage city council to consider all residents impacted by this bylaw and would ask any other concerned citizens to express their concerns to our city representatives.
Rod Sauter
Lethbridge