Airdrie Counting on Resident Feedback about Trains and Housing

Posted by on Wednesday, February 15th, 2017 at 8:10pm.

People love buying in Airdrie because of the small-town atmosphere and big city amenities.  They also love paying, in some cases, lower property taxes and they appreciate how well the small city is run.  Airdrie council often consults with residents on a variety of pressing issues.

Some of the most current issues involve the railway.  The rail line between Calgary and Edmonton is the whole reason why the community exists in the first place, but it’s currently a source of frustration among some Airdrie residents.  But the City is working hard to derail their concerns and invites everyone to an open house on Feb. 22 at Genesis Place in the Rotary Room from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

Airdrie council recently were handed a report on a potential plan which would see an underpass constructed under the railway tracks between Main and Luxstone Boulevard.  The firm Associated Engineering has been working closely on this study.  It’s estimated that this project would cost upwards of $35 million and could possibly start construction sometime in 2019.  The money for this substantial and possibly disruptive project has already been set aside as per Airdrie’s 10-year capital plan.

One of Associated principals pointed out that since Airdrie will likely continue to grow at a rapid click, the regular north and southbound trains that pass through the city on a daily basis will be more of a headache in the future than they are now, when traffic volumes increase with the population.  However, CP Rail, which operates the trains, needs to operate their business just as much as residents need to commute to Calgary or get around Airdrie.

Along with underpass construction, traffic on Yankee Valley Blvd will need to be addressed and two more lanes are planned for the east/west flow.

Traffic studies conducted in the area have shown that 32,000 vehicles use Yankee Valley Blvd every day and at least a dozen trains roll through the city each day.  There may be an opportunity for CP Rail to throw in some cash for the project and the provincial government might have some grant monies available.  Another source of cash for the underpass could come from levies paid by land developers in Airdrie.

The Mayor of Airdrie, Peter Brown, has expressed his delight with the underpass plans and believes Airdrie residents will be glad to see the day when a 5 o’clock train doesn’t stop dead on the track.

Another issue that the City is looking for input on in Airdrie is about housing and the mix of housing available today and in the future.

A study has been commissioned to get feedback from residents and that includes getting opinions via a survey online.

Airdrie’s community services director, Michelle Lock, wants to gather information about how all the various styles and types of residential housing is currently meeting the needs of the community which will help the city plan for future needs.  That includes single-family homes, apartment condos, townhouses and mobile homes within the City.   It will help Airdrie come up with a strategy for future housing that works.  Whatever the city comes up with is a blueprint used by other stakeholders such as the various levels of government, community groups, public housing corporations and developers who are building new communities.

Some of the questions in the anonymous survey are:

  • Do you think the city should offer a wide variety of housing options?
  • What difficulties are you currently experiencing with your home in regards to finances, condition, safety or other?
  • Are you a home owner or do you rent? 

To complete the survey, visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/L7ZTM9R

Leave a Comment