Description
The lack of a footbridge on the west side of the highway bridge (southbound lanes) has pedestrians crossing bear creek on the highway bridge using the traffic lane and the meridian housing the guardrail to walk on. With winter coming on, I can see it will just be a matter of time until someones luck runs out. Seeing construction happening on the new hospital site, I would think that a footbridge and walkway would be in the works. From what I was able to find in the city plans online, there is no plan for this. Is there a plan for such and when can we expect it to materialize. I live in Royal Oaks and the traffic between here and gateway is heavy to say the least. On the city website, walking is being promoted, but without a direct walkway (properly lit of course) how are we to participate safely?
7 Comments
City of Grande Prairie (Registered User)
Transportation Services (Registered User)
Acknowledged Engineering Services (Registered User)
There is work being done to look at an extension of the existing Muskoseepi Park trail system north and this work includes going under the highway bridges.
The Highway bridges are not constructed to accommodate pedestrians and it is recommended you not walk across them. If walking from Royal Oaks please consider crossing the highway at the 108/106 st intersection, walk south past the Visitor Centre to the existing Muskoseepi park trail system where you can cross the creek using a pedestrian bridge and go up through the camp ground to the 107 ave/highway intersection.
Russ Lovas (Guest)
At the AHS/City of GP "Walkability" presentation, the presenters spoke of the need for a sidewalk or bike path where "goat trails" appear along roadsides between two points made by foot/bicycle traffic. The area just accross 108 st. from Tony Romas is where the goat trail is quite apparent, heading toward Gateway. I, myself, wouldn't cross the Highway bridge to get to Gateway, but it is quite obvious that very many people from the Royal Oaks area, do.
With myself and all my neighbors paying top dollar taxes, I do not see why something to make this situation safer can't be done. Even a temporary bridge would be better than nothing because you aren't going to stop people from taking the shortest route.
Engineering Services (Registered User)
The Muskoseepi Park Master Plan is available on the City's web site, http://www.cityofgp.com/index.aspx?page=491. This study conceptually shows extension of the Muskoseepi trail network. More detailed work has been started to determine how to extend a trail under the highway bridges and up to Royal Oaks, once complete those plans can be published.
The above work will partially address pedestrian issues in the area and further work and funding will be required to complete a connection up to the future hospital site on the north/west side of the highway bridge. Funding is not in the current budget for this.
Until an "as the crow flies" route can be constructed, there is an alternative that has lighting through Muskoseepi Park and Rotary camp ground. We will continue to look for opportunities to close the loop on this issue.
RoyalOaksRunner (Guest)
Closed Engineering Services Staff (Registered User)