Calgary's Crowchild Trail tunnel option open for public feedback

The City of Calgary says a proposed tunnel under Crowchild Trail is a long term idea that may never get built, but it's being floated as a possible solution to ease gridlock between 17th Avenue S.W. and 24th Avenue N.W.

And it's an idea that has a lot of people talking.

• Crowchild Trail proposals include building a tunnel

Greg Maguire has owned Maguire's Flooring & Window Coverings on Crowchild Trail for 28 years.

He just found out about the tunnel option Thursday morning burying Crowchild Trail from Kensington Road to University Drive N.W.

"A tunnel, it's hard to say, they have to do something," Maguire said.

He's worried access to his business and others could be cut off and he hopes the city is listening.

"Try and make it as easy as possible for the businesses and residences, that's a tough call.You're not going to be able to please everybody all the time."

The city's project manager says no decisions have been made on any of the seven options to improve traffic flow and he says the tunnel plan could be ten years out.

That's if council approves it and there's money to build it.

Feisal Lakha says they're also looking at short-term options, which include an extra lane in each direction over the Bow River.

"These options represent what we have heard from Calgarians, coupled with the analysis and technical work the city and our consultants have done to develop these options," Lakha said.

A civil engineering associate professor at the University of Calgary says the tunnel could be the best option.

"The tunnel will likely be more expensive based on past experience," Alex De Barros told CBC Calgary News at 6.

"But what the tunnel does, it allows you to have that whole neighbourhood renovated to look and feel more sustainable for the neighbourhoods around Crowchild Trail so there is an added benefit," he said.

"I would certainly prefer that option if I had the money."

A previous city plan for alleviating congestion in 2012 involved interchanges, a new bridge and buying upnearby properties. That plan was met with opposition from area residents and was rejected by city council, sending administration back to the drawing board.

Calgarians will get a chance to have their say in a series of open houses that begin Monday.

• MORE CALGARY NEWS |Wildrose constituency association calls for Brian Jean leadership review
• MORE CALGARY NEWS |Inmate dies at Calgary Correctional Centre