The Airport Trail Access Committee (ATAC) would like to express our great appreciation for the over 400 people who attended our Nov 9th Public Meeting.
Your continued support is crucial to helping us ensure the Airport Tunnel is included when the new Parallel Runway is constructed. We would invite you to download the attached petition, fill it with the names of supporters and return it by November 23rd to:
The Sheraton Cavalier Hotel,
2620 - 32nd Ave, Calgary, AB
Attn: GM Curtis Fernets
Then ATAC will ensure it gets to our MP Devinder Shory who will submit it to Parliament and to his caucus collegues to urge the funding of the Airport Tunnel by this government.
Click here to download the MP Shory Airport Tunnel Petition
The following is a link for a large map showing the Airport Tunnel as it was envisioned a few years ago. Click on the link to get a large version display:
In November 2007 we became aware that it was the Calgary Airport Authority’s intention to proceed with construction of their new north-south runway (which includes closing Barlow Trail south airport access) without including construction of the east-west Airport Trail Access Tunnel.
This, of course, raises significant concerns not only for residents and businesses in north east Calgary, but City-wide and regionally as well.Connecting Airport Trail (96th Avenue
) from Deerfoot Trail east to Stoney Trail and beyond is a critical transportation link and has been part of the Calgary Transportation Plan for many years.
Without the Airport Trail East Access through the tunnel, we believe that this decision will impact the City of Calgary negatively in many ways such as:
Rule out the easiest future LRT link to the Airport Terminal, and likely shelve the entire concept of linking the LRT to the Airport for years to come.
Major traffic tie-ups for downtown & south Calgary traffic accessing the Airport via Deerfoot Trail
With Barlow Trail closed just above McKnight Blvd, most, if not all, existing Barlow Trail traffic that travels into the Airport from the south will be forced onto Deerfoot Trail to access the Airport from the West. This will cause an already overloaded Deerfoot Trail even more gridlock. It is the equivalent of closing Blackfoot Trail north at Glenmore Trail, and forcing all northbound traffic on to MacLeod Trail.
Leave only one alternative access at the North entrance of the Airport, funneling traffic to circle the Airport completely on the East side or work its way through Beddington/Country Hills area when Deerfoot Trail is backed up due to rush hour, accidents, weather or other reasons.
Force west-bound traffic from the east to access via Country Hills Blvd, which is being developed as a high density transit oriented area with over 50,000 people, 20,000 people working in commercial businesses, multiple transit stations, and pedestrian-oriented areas.
Deprives the southern airport business region of substantial revenues and causes increased costs of operation for hotels, restaurants, rental car operations, taxi businesses, shipping businesses, and retail outlets.
Deprives the east-side residents of much needed direct access to the airport, particularly many who are employed in the region.
Could create signficant difficulties for Emergency Services accessing the Airport during peak traffic periods
Over 14 local Community Associations and several major Calgary Business Associations have come together and have jointly formed the “Airport Trail Access Committee (ATAC) to promote the Airport Trail Tunnel, raise public awareness and ensure that the Calgary Airport Authority’s plans don’t go forward without a commitment from all levels of government to include construction of the tunnel.
Alderman Jim Stevenson (Ward 3) has been a vocal proponent against removal of the Airport Trail Tunnel since the suggested change to remove it was revealed in 2007. You can read more on his website by clicking on the following link:
