Closing 43 Street at 24 Avenue South is a big mistake

I am astonished council voted to close of 43 Street South at 24 Avenue South. A committee struck by Mayor Tarleck in 2009 debated the location of a third bridge. It was divided into four groups, one of which ended in a deadlock, two of which favoured the Chinook crossing to meet Scenic Drive at Tudor Estates and one that favoured the Popson Park crossing which would have enabled a semiring road starting at the south end of University Drive, cross the river and more or less proceed along Township Road 82S crossing Highway 5 at the city limits near the airport, skirting Arbor Estates and finally joining 43 Street.

A motion to council to reserve both proposed routes was defeated by only one vote which I feel was a grave mistake. Mayor Magrath is already very congested, especially at the Scenic Road-24 Avenue South intersection. It makes no sense to pour more traffic into this intersection via a Chinook bridge proposal. Currently the only access to Fairmont, Southgate, Couleecreek and Prairie Arbour Estate areas is through Mayor Magrath Drive. Extending 43 Street to loop around Southgate, Coulee Creek and Prairie Arbour to end at Highway 5 would 1) serve to relieve congestion on Mayor Magrath Drive especially at the Scenic Road/24 Avenue intersection, 2) provide alternate accesses to residents of Fairmont, Southgate, Couleecreek and Prairie Arbor Estates and 3) provide an option for a future semi-ring road if a decision were to be made to locate a bridge at the Popson crossing.

Apparently Lethbridge Transportation is planning to realign 43 Street further east to cross 24 Avenue and finally meet Highway 5 at the city’s southern border; firm plans and land acquisitions have not been initiated at this point.

I agree with Councillor Joe Mauro that the decision to close 43 Street at this time “is absolutely crazy” and with Councillor Jeff Coffman that this will create even greater congestion for those living in the area. The city is expanding rapidly and it makes no sense to give up right-of-ways that currently serve commuters and could ultimately prove extremely important in the future plans for arterial roads.

Now is the time to also plan for extending the proposed route across Highway 5 and ultimately meeting University Drive for a possible third bridge at a Popson crossing.

Mark Goettel

Lethbridge