The Way We Move Forward
Wednesday December 02, 2009
Bob Boutilier

Edmonton residents see public transit, and transportation generally, as real priorities for strong focus, future action and ongoing investment in this city. We’ve heard it in the results of our latest citizen satisfaction survey, and we couldn’t agree more.

In 2010, the City’s Transportation department will complete three major projects: the South LRT extension to Southgate and Century Park stations, the widening of the Quesnell Bridge and construction of the 23 Avenue/Gateway Boulevard Interchange. These projects alone amount to over a $1billion commitment which will help us deliver on a number of strategic goals identified in our Transportation Master Plan – shifting transportation modes by increasing transit ridership, addressing high traffic volumes and improving Edmonton’s transportation infrastructure for decades to come.

Planning for future LRT expansion continues to progress across Edmonton. The recent public hearing on recommended corridors for West and Southeast LRT, as well as planning studies for LRT routes elsewhere, have reinforced the need for informed decisions that provide Edmontonians with the clarity and direction they need to keep on building a more accessible, sustainable city. Without question, sound technical analysis and a thorough public process are crucial to ensuring that LRT expansion is done properly and with due diligence. However, I also believe that Edmonton must put its long-term LRT plans in place now in order to further define the overall network, co-ordinate public transit with future land use plans, secure financing, and identify construction priorities to connect people and places in a meaningful way. I think we’d all like to keep up the momentum and make LRT expansion, and well-integrated public transit, happen wisely and well.

I’m encouraged that interest in more active transportation modes is increasing. The Transportation department has recommended an Active Transportation Policy and $22 million over three years for a Sidewalk Strategy and Bike Plan that will make Edmonton more pedestrian and bicycle-friendly. This includes more multi-use trails and dedicated bike lanes on city roads, important steps towards realizing our goal of a completely integrated transportation system for our city. Not only is active transportation a healthy and sustainable way of getting around, it makes perfect sense from an environmental and economical point of view. The very fact that active transportation remains a priority for Edmontonians points to the progressive nature of our future vision for transportation.

We took significant steps forward this year in terms of key pieces of transportation infrastructure as well. The work that continues on the Quesnell Bridge and the completion of the first phase of the 23 Ave/Gateway Blvd. Interchange will make moving people and goods around the city much more efficient. Having roads that are easy to navigate improves the quality of life for Edmontonians, and helps create a city that is friendly to businesses and residents alike.

Transportation is more than just moving people and goods around Edmonton with a variety of modes; it is about building essential infrastructure that impacts our urban environment, making our city economically, environmentally and socially sustainable. We have to shift our thinking from having a city that primarily accommodates single passenger vehicles to a city that boasts an interconnected, multi-modal transportation system. The LRT, buses, bike lanes, pedestrian trails and the infrastructure necessary to support a system that brings all of these together will help shape the future of Edmonton and foster its growth as a world-class city in which to live, play and work.

If we don’t act and plan immediately, I fear that we could lose the momentum from the tremendous progress the Transportation Department is making right now.

-- Bob Boutilier

Column ID#: 122

**Opinions expressed by guest columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of Connect2Edmonton members, partners or sponsors.**

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