14 & 15 Avenue S Mobility Improvements

Corners at some of the intersections along 15 Avenue have been redesigned as shared spaces. This means that people walking, biking, or wheeling all move through the same area.

How shared corners work:

• These intersections rely on people being alert, respectful, and sharing the space.
• People walking, biking, or wheeling all share one flat, open surface at sidewalk level,
• The area is kept open and unobstructed so users can see each other.
• Cyclists and wheeled users slow down and yield to pedestrians as the approach and move through the area.
• Crosswalks are set back from the intersection to give turning drivers more time to see and stop for crossing cyclists and pedestrians
• Visually impaired users follow along urban braille strips to travel through the space.

Space constraints are a common challenge when updating older road designs that weren’t built for today’s mix of people walking, biking, wheeling and driving. At these intersections, space is limited, so fully separating bikes and pedestrians isn’t feasible without forcing cyclists into traffic. Raising the bike lane to sidewalk level helps keep cyclists out of vehicle traffic, reducing the risk of serious collisions with cars. 

Shared corners are designed as low-speed areas where everyone needs to be alert and courteous. Follow all signs and pavement markings, and keep these tips in mind:

• Cyclists and other wheeled users: Slow down, yield to pedestrians in the shared space, and obey all traffic signs and signals.
• Pedestrians: Stay aware of approaching cyclists or wheeled users and use marked crossings.

These guidelines are similar to Calgary’s multi-use pathways, where pedestrians and wheeled users share space by slowing down, staying alert, and respecting each other.

We’ve added several features to make the area safer and easier to navigate for everyone:

•  Upgraded wheelchair ramps and tactile plates were installed at intersections.
• Urban braille guidance strips were added to the shared corner intersections where the design differs from a typical layout.
• Traffic signals were upgraded to include audible cues.
• Canada’s first trapezoid delineator was installed at the 15 Avenue and Macleod Trail S.E. intersection. This raised strip along the edge of the sidewalk and bike lane helps people with visual impairments detect boundaries with a cane or underfoot.

During the 17 Avenue S.W. Construction Project, 14 and 15 Avenue were changed to one-way streets between 1 Street S.E. and 12 Street S.W., and temporary bike lanes were created. This project was initiated to address these temporary changes and support future growth and development in the Beltline area.

This project supports Calgary's council priorities by:

• Enhancing safety and accessibility: Dedicated wheeling lanes for bike, scooter and skateboard users improve safety by providing protected spaces.
• Promoting social equity: Protected wheeling lanes offer cost-effective, healthy, and inclusive transportation options, enhancing citywide accessibility goals and equitable access to transportation.
• Addressing climate goals: Encouraging wheeling and walking reduces greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to Calgary’s climate resilience efforts.
• Strategic infrastructure investments: This initiative is part of a broader strategy to invest in Calgary's infrastructure, improving safety, reducing congestion, and fostering a healthier community.

This project is being jointly funded by the Government of Canada using the Active Transportation Fund and The City of Calgary under Calgary’s Pathway and Bikeway Network (5A) program,the Downtown Strategy program and other maintenance and operation funding.

The project has $12.4 million in funding secured for design and construction construction – $7.5 million from The City of Calgary and $4.9 million from the Government of Canada.

With the concept design complete and funding secured, construction was initially planned to begin in spring 2024. However, the start date was postponed for a few reasons:

• Project scope clarification: We shifted the planned protected two-way wheeling lane from 15 Avenue to extend from 11 Street S.W. to northbound Macleod Trail, improving connectivity with the future entertainment district and LRT.
• Parking assessment: We explored opportunities to conserve parking where possible while integrating the protected wheeling facility.
• Community communication: Additional time was needed to notify property owners about new loading zones and changes to waste and recycling pick-up. Throughout 2024, we met with the community to discuss the upcoming changes and operational requirements. This included a community information session on September 10. Watch the recorded virtual session
• Enabling works: We needed adequate time to complete enabling works. 

The City of Calgary takes a proactive approach to protecting and replacing aging assets. As part of the water main replacement program, this project will include a water main replacement for the water main running along 15 Avenue S. from 6 Street S.W. to 8 Street S.W. The water main replacement work will include new pipes and the installation of several redundancy features which will make maintenance work more efficient while helping to better support the ongoing water needs in the Beltline community.

Yes – In 2020 and 2021, there was public engagement conducted to gather feedback on the challenges and benefits of the 14 and 15 Avenue S. corridors. The summary and results of the public engagement feedback can be found at: 14 & 15 Avenue S.W. Mobility Improvements | Engage (calgary.ca)

We incorporated community feedback from the 2020 and 2021 engagement sessions, along with technical recommendations, into the final design for 14 and 15 Avenue S. Mobility Improvements project. 

• Protected two-way wheeling lane: Replacing the single lane painted wheeling lane on 14 Avenue with a protected two-way wheeling lane on 15 Avenue aims to reduce accidents between cyclists and vehicles.
• Curb extensions: Adding curb extensions to the sidewalks on 14 Avenue will shorten the distance pedestrians need to cross and improve sight lines for both pedestrians and drivers.
• Raised crosswalk: Raising the crosswalk at 6 Street S.W. and 14 Avenue S.W. will increase visibility and safety for pedestrians.
• Improved lighting: Rebalancing lighting levels along 14 and 15 Avenues will reduce dark spots, enhancing safety for everyone in the area.

• Continuous two-way wheeling network: The new two-way wheeling lane will provide a seamless route for cyclists and other wheeled users to travel from the Victoria Park/Stampede LRT Station to the existing protected wheeling lane on 11 Street. Additionally, 15 Avenue is the best option for scooters to access businesses on 17 Avenue, as they are ‘geofenced’ to stop them from being ridden on 17 Avenue S.W. between Fourth and Eighth Street S.W.
• Wheelchair ramps: Adding wheelchair ramps will make it easier for pedestrians and individuals with mobility challenges to navigate the area.

• Repaving 14 and 15 Avenue S.: Repaving these corridors will improve the road surface provide smoother traffic flow.
• Converting 14 Avenue S. back to a two-way road: This traffic flow change will offer more efficient and direct routes for drivers.

Emergency response teams are trained to ensure access to all properties during emergencies. In critical situations, all emergency vehicles—ambulances, fire trucks, and police cars—will be able to cross over the bike lane buffer without delay, ensuring that response times are not compromised. The bike lane buffer is engineered to allow for the safe passage of emergency vehicles.

Our contractors are committed to using ramps and other methods to maintain accessible, flat, and firm surface for pedestrian detours.

The new wheeling lane is designed for: bicycles, e-bikes, skateboards, inline skates and shared e-scooters. These users can enjoy a fun, healthy, and eco-friendly way to get around. For more information on what modes of transportation are allowed where, please refer to this guide.

Parking on the north side of 15 Avenue between 12 Street S.W. and Macleod Trail is being removed to accommodate the protected wheeling lane. There are also changes to loading zones. Please see the map below for details:

14 Avenue S.:

On-street parking will remain on both sides of the corridor.

15 Avenue S.:

On-street parking on the north side of 15 Avenue between 12 Street S.W. and Macleod Trail has been permanently removed to accommodate the protected wheeling lane. Parking remains available on the south side of 15 Avenue S., except in areas where signage indicates restrictions

Four loading zones have been relocated to the north side of the corridor, adjacent to the bike lane. The teardrop-shaped medians are specifically designed to accommodate loading zones by shifting motorists to the south side of the road. They allow vehicles to safely stop on the north side without obstructing traffic. Additional loading zones have been relocated to the south side of the corridor or adjacent side streets.

Yes, The City of Calgary can change loading zones under the Municipal Government Act (MGA) and its Traffic Bylaw. These laws allow municipalities to regulate traffic and manage roadways, including loading zones and curbside space.

Yes, two parking studies were conducted, analyzed, and included in the development of concept options shared during engagement. 

We strategically relocated loading zones to minimize the impacts to residents and businesses along 15 Avenue S. Please reach out to our project team at 1415ave@calgary.ca if you have specific questions.

We are committed to minimizing the impact of loading zone changes on senior citizens by relocating affected zones nearby. Additionally, Calgary Transit Access (CTA) provides door-to-door service to ensure that seniors can be picked up easily. 

At this time, we do not anticipate changes to parking permit zones. Calgary Parking will monitor these zones during and after the project completion and will make improvements and adjustments as needed.

There are no changes to the obligations for grass mowing and snow clearing adjacent to private properties. The City of Calgary will clear snow in the wheeling facility. 

Property owners are responsible for clearing sidewalks adjacent to their properties, as outlined in Section 67 of the Street Bylaw. The City manages snow clearing for sidewalks bordering City parks and other City-owned properties within 24 hours of the end of a snowfall. Sidewalks next to private property must be cleared by the property owner or occupant.

If a pathway or sidewalk on an existing clearing route remains uncleared 24 hours after snowfall, or if you believe it needs to be reviewed for clearing, please call 311 or submit an online request.

Most of the corridor will not be affected by this design because residents have access to a back alley. For areas where residents and businesses do not have a back alley and the new design will impact their waste & recycling operations, the project team will contact property owners to discuss the details. If there are no impacts, we will not reach out.