Transportation Now and for the Future

Growth. Progress. Opportunity. These are words that are often associated with Calgary's surge in size. But our city's growth has not been without challenges. As Calgary becomes one of North America's most important cities both today's commuters and tomorrow's communities have needs for transportation and proper planning.


Today's Commuters ..

"When I was elected in October 2004 I knew the transportation needs of Ward 3 had been underfunded for a long time," stated Alderman Helene Larocque. "One of my first priorities at City Council was to increase funding and fast-track projects that were scheduled for the future. I'm glad to report a lot of progress has been made."

In 2006, 35% of Calgary's total transportation resources were budgeted for projects in Ward 3. In 2007 that amount was 29%. Since Helene's election in October 2004 there has been a great deal of progress in fixing Ward 3's transportation deficits.

McKnight-Westwinds LRT Station

McKnight - 36 Street E Interchange

• Interchange at McKnight Blvd and 36 Street East is now open. It gives much better access to North East communities and keeps traffic moving.
  
  
• McKnight-Westwinds LRT Station is opening this autumn - six years ahead of schedule. Helene worked hard at City Council to bring this station forward from its 2013 planned opening date.
  
  
• Improvements to the interchange at Beddington Trail and Country Hills Blvd are underway.
  
  
• In early 2008 Métis Trail will be expanding north to 80th Ave. The third stage of this project will see it expand from 80th Avenue to Stoney Trail - Calgary's new ring road. As the City could not afford to begin this project within its current budget Helene worked with the developer to loan the City $75 million to begin construction. The interest free loan will be repaid over five years. Helene's ability to bring others into partnership on projects demonstrates strong leadership, creative problem solving and financial prudence.
  
  
• Transportation safety. In 2005 Helene initiated a request for a safety review of Deerfoot Trail. This resulted in a post-and-cable safety barrier being installed along the north sections of the highway that has already saved lives. [Read about this from the Calgary Herald]
  
  

As a member of the Land and Asset Strategy Committee at City Council, Helene Larocque is committed to the principles of 'complete community planning' for new areas.


Transportation and the Environment ..

Calgary Transit: becoming the option of choice

The opening of the McKnight-Westwinds LRT station is a great opportunity to reduce the City's impact on the environment. The more convenient Public Transit becomes the more Calgarians will chose it as an option to commute to work and recreation. That means less green house gasses.

Commenting on improvements to public transit Helene stated "I'm very happy that in Ward 3 over 15,000 additional hours of public transit services have been approved at City Council. I also supported the purchase of 30 additional busses and 40 new C-Trains for Calgary Transit. This helps the environment and makes public transportation more convenient for Calgarians."

• Expedite the 96 Avenue Connector to Deerfoot Trail. This will reduce congestion on Country Hills Blvd and Beddington Trail for residents of northern communities west of Deerfoot Trail.
  
  
• Ensure proper planning takes place so new communities are designed with transportation infrastructure that meet the City's requirements into the future.
  
  
• Address the transportation deficits of existing communities so the needs of today's commuter's are better served.
  
  
• Further improve the safety of our major highways.
  
  
• Make public transportation more convenient so it is the option of choice for Calgarians.