Fixing missing links to connect the community
The City of Calgary is using a new approach to address missing pieces of sidewalks and pathways, called missing links, to make it safer and easier to get around in a few communities.
In this pilot project, we used data to drive the planning and to select the communities and projects that most needed it. The data included the Calgary Equity Index, and clearly showed that weak and broken connections are more common in certain areas, creating mobility barriers for people and inequity across communities.
Connecting these missing links will improve safety and provide Calgarians with higher quality pathways, walkways and bikeways.
Addressing the missing links in these communities:
Tarington Road N.E. - Missing sidewalk link
This project connects a pathway along 64th Avenue N.E. to the sidewalk along Tarington Drive N.E. This allows users to walk or roll along 64th Avenue N.E. and improves access to the off-leash area and other parts of the community.
Saddlelake Drive N.E. - Missing sidewalk link
This project added a sidewalk connection along the south side of Saddlelake Drive N.E. in Saddle Ridge. This sidewalk connects to bus stops along Saddlebrook Drive for residents of the Indigo Sky development for safer and more accessible access to Calgary Transit.
Falconridge Blvd. N.E. and 64th Avenue - Missing sidewalk link
This project added sidewalks along Falconridge Drive N.E. and 64 Avenue N.E. This improves accessibility and safety by providing additional space and a more direct route for people who walk.
Ogden shopping connection
This project will build a pathway to connect the park space to a sidewalk in the commercial area along 18th Street S.E. There is worn down path in the grass indicating that users want that connection from the community to the shopping area.
66th Avenue S.E. - Pathway access
This project adds a connection between the sidewalk along the street to the pathway in the park. Previously, the pathway ended at a gravel alley and there was no easy way for people with limited mobility to access the pathway from the sidewalk. This improvement is intended to improve access to the park for people of all abilities.
Taravista Way N.E. - Pathway connection
This project adds a connection between the pathway in the park and the sidewalk. This sidewalk connects to a school, and under the previous configuration lead to people, including children, walking along or on the road. This project improves access to the school and makes it safer for children to walk to school.
Project timeline
- All projects are under way, and most are expected to be wrapped in the coming weeks
Provide your feedback
What challenges have you faced moving through this space? Does the new sidewalk or pathway connection improve your experience? Please let us know how you use this space.
Contact us by filling out the online service request below or call 311 for assistance.
Thank you for your feedback. If you would like to suggest a location for a missing link, please call 311 and put in a "Sidewalk Installation and Accessibility" Service Request.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this project?
Through the Bloomberg Harvard City Initiative, The City was selected to participate in the Bloomberg Harvard Data Track program. A small team of City staff was assembled and received support from the program to develop a pilot that uses data to advance equity and improve the quality of life of Calgarians.
The pilot used data, such as the Calgary Equity Index, and clearly showed that weak and broken connections are common in certain areas, creating mobility barriers for people and inequity across communities.
The data was used to identify the communities where we most needed to construct and connect missing portions of sidewalks and pathways, called missing links, more quickly.
Connecting these missing links will improve safety and provide Calgarians with higher quality pathways, walkways and bikeways.
What is the goal of the project?
The goal is to use data to drive equitable capital investments in a new way. Missing links were the pilot focus area and the approach will be applied to other services.
How are communities and individual projects selected?
Communities are selected based on several data sources:
- Calgary Equity Index: This index helps identify areas with inequitable mobility infrastructure.
- Missing Links: The program considers gaps or weak connections in the existing network.
- Collision history: Calgary Police Service reported collision data is used to focus projects where there is a high need and improve safety and other benefits.
Projects are selected by using infrastructure data, including:
- Existing/missing sidewalks, crosswalks, and pathways: Identifying gaps and areas needing improvement.
- Grades for drainage and accessibility: Ensuring safe and accessible pathways.
- Land ownership and potential utility conflicts: Projects will only be built on City owned land.
Why are you asking for my feedback?
The feedback we are seeking is about how you experience the areas before and after the improvement.
Questions we’re asking include:
- What challenges did you have moving through this space before the change was made and how is it now?
- Have you been waiting for a change like this and what is it like now that it’s there?
- Are there other improvements in the area that would make it easier for you to use?
What will you do with my feedback?
Your feedback will be valuable to understand the public benefit and how we can improve our work and the experience when moving around communities.
Are these projects overlapping with the 5A network?
These connections are intended to make moving around the communities easier, including improved access to the 5A Capital projects that are planned. These projects are not happening instead of the 5A work, they will help to make them better.
What is the cost of these projects?
The cost of these improvements is low relative to the benefits and the total will be managed within existing budgets due to the small scope.
What are the next steps for the pilot?
Our next step is to complete construction and compile the public feedback. We’ll use this experience and key learnings to expand into other projects, such as playground improvements, and continue to help tackle inequity across the city.