Traffic

Passage One

[Calgary] is unquestionably paying close attention to transportation, particularly roads. From 2004 to 2008, it will spend $1.4 billion on capital projects, earmarking 62 per cent of it for public transportation and roads.

The city is spending the money on widening roads, improving intersections and other roadway enhancements to lessen congestion and shorten commutes from the suburbs.

^{Source: Seskus, Tony. “Growing pains challenge planners: Thriving suburbs stress city finances.” Calgary Herald. December 29, 2003, B1. CanWest Interactive, 2003.}

Passage Two

Calgary is already suffering its share of traffic woes; in fact, the city is trying to play road catch-up after falling behind in transportation infrastructure. Unfortunately, it is only going to get worse because, as more people move to outlying suburbs, commuter traffic and daily automobile trips will increase -- which will also increase traffic congestion. . . .

There are a number of factors which contribute to the stop-and-go traffic that drivers may experience daily. One factor often overlooked is how the city's urban form (type and pattern of development) influences automobile use and traffic. Understanding the relationship between form and consequences needs to become a priority. A successful understanding will help reduce pressure on transportation networks and reduce demand for more roads.

^{Source: Wilkie, Karen. “ Imagine a city where a car is an option.” The Calgary Herald. October 4, 2004. http://www.cwf.ca/abcalcwf/doc.nsf/doc/oped_oct_03_2004d.cm?Open}