A Better Pass at Underpasses

Underpasses: they're usually just things we venture through with little thought.  As pedestrians, sometimes we hurry through them because they're dark and a little scary. Sometimes we try to avoid them altogether.  For most, their only purpose is purely utilitarian.  

City Planners in Centre City want to change that.  They're working to alter what has become a mental and physical barrier for those entering or even thinking of entering the Centre City.  

Picture an underpass with lighting as art installations and moving shutters that actually interact with trains and wind.  This concept, as envisioned by the East Village folks (Calgary Municipal Land Corporation) for the 4th Street underpass, was presented to Calgary City Council about a week ago in a video format.  Take a look and let us know what you think: 

Thanks to the CMLC team for providing this video!

 

   

Comments

[Mark]

Thank you for the information David. This is a good example of how it would be helpful if this blog included more details about city projects here more often. Thanks again for the update.

[David]

The City of Calgary is working on a set of comprehensive Downtown Underpass Urban Design Guidelines which will guide future improvements to enhance the pedestrian and cyclist underpass environment. A detailed analysis examined and evaluated elements of all downtown underpasses such as built form, pedestrian realm, visual appearance, linkages, lighting, cyclists’ realm, adjacent redevelopment opportunities, pedestrian traffic volumes, wayfinding signage, surface materials and public art opportunities. Further to the construction in 2010 of the new underpass at Fourth St. SE, the improvement of all downtown underpasses is on our upcoming work plan and we’re currently determining which underpass location will be improved first and when.

Thanks for your interest.

David, The City of Calgary

[Mark]

Thanks for the comments Susan from CMLC, but what is being done to fix the sad state of existing downtown underpasses? I'm referring to 8th,5th,4th,1st SW, 1st SE and Macleod Trail. If you don't know please forward these questions to someone who can respond on here for us please. Thanks in advance for your help.

[Posted by Karin]

Thank for your interest in the 4th Street Underpass project. Having dedicated lanes for bicycle commuters is an important objective of the 4th Street Underpass project. CMLC has committed to include 2 southbound lanes and 2 northbound lanes specifically for bicycle commuters.
And, to add interest and animation to the walls within the 4th Street Underpass area, concrete art and other features like LED systems will be considered.

- Susan, CMLC

[Radley77]

Thanks for sharing!

I agree with the other peoples comments that lighting is really key issue for these underpasses at night. I think this might be the first underpass that will have lighting for cars as well as overhead for the pedestrians.

Good job!

[JonSun]

Looks pretty ( and generic) to me. No murals but concrete "art"? Notice the cyclist in the video? Will there be a dedicated bike lane?
I agree with Mark's comments. Look at the 8th,5th,4th,1st SW
underpasses. Bleak & ugly.Likewise 1st SE & Macleod Trail. Fix those first!Please!

[Mark]

Yes, I completely agree with this initiative. It's long overdue and I truly believe the poor state of the existing underpasses puts a blight on the city. I raised this issue about a year ago on this blog and was told that improvements like better lighting,etc. had been made. That may be so, but the city didn't fully understand the issue then because the lighting didn't solve the issue of the poor state of the underpasses. I'm so glad to hear that someone is finally taking this topic more seriously. These underpasses really have potential and as someone who lives in the city, I can't wait for the day when they are celebrated with style rather than left to be forgotten. If thousands of people everyday see the poor state of these underpasses they just accept that they should look and feel run-down. But it doesn't have to be that way and it shouldn't. Let me know if you need some volunteer help on this project. I would be happy to assist anyway I can. Thanks.