3 Avenue South Walking and Wheeling Upgrades

The detour is not being removed. We will maintain an interim cycle track on 3 Avenue S., between 8 Street SW and 5 Street SW. The cycle track cannot be kept in place east of 5 Street SW due to utility work occurring throughout the fall.

A temporary safe and efficient alternative route for use by people travelling when the usual route is temporarily closed.

• 3 Avenue South is the only east-west road that connects to the Bow River Pathway Network on the west side in the Eau Claire community (at 8 Street S.W.) and the east side in the Chinatown community (via 1 Street S.E.).
• 3 Avenue South supports connectivity and accessibility for people walking, wheeling, and taking transit in the centre city.
• The 3 Avenue South upgrades will support the Eau Claire Area Improvements Project during construction. The upgrades we’re making along 3 Avenue will ensure that Calgarians are provided with an alternate route to the Bow River Pathway Network during construction and will also improve access to businesses and residential areas in the vicinity.
• 3 Avenue South has a range of businesses which can be supported through increased access for customers and employees travelling by foot, bicycle, and other active modes.
• Past plans and policies have identified 3 Avenue South as an active transportation corridor and it is an existing on-street bikeway.
• 3 Avenue South is one of the busiest roads for cycling in Calgary (at the west end) and connects to both 7 Street S.W. and 5 Street S.W. cycle tracks as well as Eau Claire and Sien Lok Park (via 1 Street S.W.).

• Pedestrian enhancements such as ramps and sidewalk improvements, in addition to traffic signals will be permanent. 
• The cycle track will remain in place between 8 Street SW and 5 Street SW on an interim basis, until a permanent east-west connection can be designed and constructed.

• Construction of the 3 Avenue detour is anticipated to start in this summer, and we anticipate the improvements will be complete before Fall 2021.

• We know that parking in the area is important for people visiting and travelling to the area. The 3 Avenue detour will result in a loss of parking on 3 Avenue
• To mitigate these impacts, some stalls will be relocated to 6 Street S.W. In other areas, such as 1 Street S.E., will be also look to enhance the current angle parking to provide additional parking options. 

• The designs presented have identified and addressed areas that intersect with the existing bike lanes and pathways to remove any awkward intersections for all users. For example, turn boxes and lane painting help to create predictable movements for people driving and people using the bike lanes.