It’s been said – and rightly so – that no city can build its way out of congestion.
I would hazard a guess, though, that those of you who have noticed the sheer volume of construction taking place on city streets might wonder if we’re not attempting to do just that!
While it is certainly true that we have been spending a lot of time and effort on improving our transportation infrastructure, I assure you that it is all part of a much larger vision.
Given the impact of a booming population and the resulting strain on our current system, the City has developed plans to deal with the issue. The Way Ahead, the overall strategic plan and The Way We Move, specifically addressing transportation issues, have led us to one conclusion: we must find a way to move people, as well as goods and services, around the city more effectively and more efficiently.
A big piece of the puzzle involves shifting modes of transportation. This means getting away from the use of single passenger vehicles (costly in terms of wear on roads, time and environment) and creating a system where commuters make better use of public transit, carpooling, biking and walking.
We are trying to make this possible by expanding the LRT system into residential areas, creating dedicated transit lanes and improving bus service, and creating a network for cyclists and pedestrians.
What else, though, could we do to shift the way people think about transportation in Edmonton? How can we better encourage the use of alternate modes so we can reduce congestion, create a sustainable transportation system and in the end, improve the quality of life for all Edmontonians?
I want hear your thoughts and ideas! I will be responding to your questions and discussion points directly here on the blog from November 3 at 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. on November 4. Looking forward to the conversation.