December 2, 2009

Shawnee Evergreen Community Association

Attention:  Ms. Gloria Dingwall

I thought I would take a few minutes to let you know my opinion about the new “traffic calming” features that were installed a few months ago in Evergreen.

I have to admit that at first I was not particularly fond of these gigantic speed bumps.  In fact I may have accidentally muttered some unprintable words under my breath the first time that I drove my sports car over them and scraped the bottom of my carbon fiber frame.  Right at that moment I wondered why these brutal things had been installed.

Since then I have noticed that traffic has to slow down a little now as it moves through the playground zone just down the hill from my house.  I remember a few years ago when my son and his friends were almost hit by someone flying through that clearly marked area.  I also notice that the traffic that used to speed down Evergreen Street is also moving slower.

I have now learned how to angle my car over the speed bumps without scraping the bottom and although my commute now takes me about 22 seconds longer than before (I have 5 sets of them to go over) I am happy that people are now complying with the speed limit that they might not have been complying with before they were installed.  At the end of the day the safety of our children and people in our community is worth the extra 22 seconds and a scraped frame.  Besides, the car is so low you can’t see the scrapes under it anyway!

Sincerely,

Ryan Ockey

Community Resident    

Hi Gloria, SECA President
 
   A car accident occurred at about 1745 this evening at Evergreen Drive and Fish Creek Blvd. It involved a car and a van. The van was hit so hard that it rolled and ended up upside down on the median. Fire, police and ambulance were all there. I am not sure the extent of injuries.
   This is a very dangerous intersection. The only traffic control at this intersection is a two way stop. City transit has three bus stops at the intersection.There are three school bus stops which are used by several different schools.  Traffic volumes are very heavy and are increasing with all the new subdivisions. Low hanging branches on the blvd trees obstruct vision of on coming vehicles. When the sun is low on the horizon vision is further impaired. Pedestrian traffic is very busy in the morning and from the end of the school day right through the rush hour. Snow and ice make everything even worse. Heavy traffic, poor vision and pedestrians crossing in all directions make it very dangerous to enter or leave our community either on foot or in a car at this intersection.
   I witnessed another collision at this intersection in August and have seen the remnants of head lights, tail lights and bumpers on several occasions. More accidents are inevitable at this location unless additional traffic control is installed at this location. I think this intersection should be a high priority at the SECA meeting in October.
 
Ray Puls, Resident

Airport Trail Access Committee urges you to attend these meetings (on reverse page) and express your support for a transportation vision that includes the Airport Trail East Access Tunnel to the Airport. This is crucial for ensuring a better transportation future for all Calgarians. The Airport Trail Access Tunnel has been part of the Calgary Transportation Plan for 30 years. Now the Calgary Airport Authority is proposing its removal, with the approval of the City of Calgary Administration.  
 
Without the Airport Trail East Access Tunnel, all Calgary residents will suffer chronic airport commuting frustration. A future LRT line to the Airport will be impossible. East of Deerfoot business community will have an economic lifeline taken away. And NE residents will be cut off from easy access to the Airport, which for many will affect their livelyhoods.  

Attend the public meetings (June 10 th & 23rd) and speak up. Complete details at;   Planit Calgary Public Hearing.pdf (475.62 kb)

Third open house for the South Calgary Ring Road Functional Planning Study. Regarding the sout section from Deerfoot Trail, Highway 22X (Marquis of Lorne Trail to 85 Street West. Read the full information here. South Ring Road Open House.pdf (20.90 kb)

Pictures were taken at 2:00 pm on Wednesday April 29, 2009 at the Fish Creek LRT Station. Where did all the vehicles go? I would like to see the trend continue letting City Hall know that the parking fee at this point in this economic down turn is ridiculous.