It appears talks have stalled with the Tsu tina first nation regarding the ring road. This road is badly needed and must move forward. I still think going over the weaslehead is the best option, both for the enviroment, traffic flow, and buget.

The bridge could be designed to it can span the 1.6-2 km sensitive zone of the weaslehead without any towers/ supports being there though this type of bridge would cost upwards of 5 billion dollars US. It would make alot more sense to have a limited impact bridge with a few support towers within the sensitive area, but limit the number and placement of them to less sensitive areas (like the mudflats). It could also be designed so that run off from the road deck will go into the storm sewer rather then into the water below.

I would urge city council and the provice to rethink this option and not let enviromental concerns scare them away. There is a way to limit and prevent most of the enviromental damage form the bridge.

I would like to hear your comments on the SW ring road, how it's being handled by the city and the provice, and whether you would like to see the bridge built.

-DSO

PS sorry if there is another thread similar to this one, i didn't ahve time to check.

Out here in Greater Vancouver, the proposed South Fraser Perimeter Road (~40 km expressway), will traverse over wetlands along the south bank of the Fraser River with many streams, drainage canals, and wildlife habitats. Trout, salmon, mammals (eg. beaver) need to traverse this area as part of their natural habitat.

Solution: Build a ~ 1 km elevated 4 lane structure with minimal impact on environment. Construction techniques will minimize impact on habitat and wildlife. (Source: BC MoT)

Perhaps the situation in Calgary could be solved in the same manner.

Through the reserve is the best option, 37th street was never meant to be a freeway, Sarcee Trail was always the planned route for the western bypass. I'm all for progress but using 37th as the bypass is unacceptable, the residents of Lakeview, Oakridge and Cedarbrae have been residents and paying city taxes a lot longer than the people south of Fish Creek. The blame must be placed on the city for giving into developers and letting them develope the area south of Fish Creek before this issue was resolved. For the city to even consider using the thirty seventh route they need another 750 ft. of room, that means buying up a lot of property. Enviromentally and economically the road through the reserve is the best option and it's up to the city to somehow come up with an agreement with the band..... My brother lives in Somerset so I know what the issue entails for him and also feel for him but, if your going to buy a house you had better do a little research..... I will not be sacrificed for the sake of greedy developers and incompetent(crooked) city planners and officials.....

I don't think a 37th street connector is an option either, sarcee is the best bet, but major improvemnts still have to be made to it (like an overpass at bow trail and 17th and widening to at least 3 lanes each way).

I think the bridge is the best option since it can contain all toxic run off, and have little impact on the enviromental sensitive spots by spanning over it. A bridge on the reserve won't meet high enviromental standards since it will be done at lower cost and smaller scale, thus having a much greater impact then is forcasted. This would also pollute our dinking water. True enough that it is cheapest to run through the reserve, but it may not be the most enviromentally concious way of going.

One thing i know for certain is that eventually it we will have to build both routs if the city keeps expanding as it is now.

-DSO

essentially i would think that Calgary has somewhat of a SW ring road. only if the purpose of a ring road is to avoid driving through the city with the city traffic.

one would just have to exit onto 22X heading westbound, and eventually it would turn into Highway 22 and that would take you to teh Trans Canada (highway 1).

its a long way to go, but it avoids having to spend umpteen millions (or billions) of dollars on new bridges by protected areas, and negotiations with native reserves, yadda yadda yadda. or am i wrong??

It would be nice if that were the case, however this is going to serve as a major artery for people communiting from the south end of town. This route would give a direct link west of 14th, easing alot of conjestion. Its need despite which way they decide to build it.