The City of Edmonton is hosting an open house to collect public input to put towards a concept plan for Mark Messier Trail.
The open house, planned for Dec. 5, asks interested people and stakeholders to provide input on potential long-term improvements to Mark Messier Trail between 137 Avenue and Anthony Henday Drive. The road is one many local commuters use every day.
“Anyone who uses the corridor or who has any interest at all in the corridor is welcome to attend,” said Joleen Harris, a senior engineer with the City of Edmonton. “It is to request input from the public, so landowners in the area … anyone who has an interest in the corridor, uses it as a commuter route.”
Harris said there will be no formal presentation as part of the event, instead there will be several different options to take a look at and point out benefits, drawbacks and any other points about the material on display. She said attendees can also discuss the plans with staff that will be there or provide written feedback.
“Overall, we’re looking at urbanizing the roadway,” Harris said. “The biggest point to urbanizing roadway is to provide curb and gutter and to provide drainage infrastructure under the ground instead of in ditches. We’re also looking at providing separate facilities for pedestrians, cyclists and transit.”
The open house and the feedback will be part of the development of a concept plan, which Harris said is aimed to be completed by spring 2014. There is no money allocated to any improvement projects yet.
“This is just a planning study,” Harris said. “We have a list and we try and prioritize based on the needs we see. This is a high use commuter corridor and goods movement corridor so it has a high priority to finalize the ultimate concept.”
The open house is Dec. 5 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Twin Willows Golf Club.
