UNRESTRICTED Overview of Program 566 RouteAhead Rapid Transit Corridors TT2016-0335 ATTACHMENT 1 Calgary’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) network is an important part of The City’s overall transportation plan and, along with the Southwest Calgary Ring Road, the Green Line and other major transportation projects, will provide Calgarians with the travel options they need to move through and around the city quickly and efficiently. BRT is a fast, reliable bus service. Cities around the world have adopted BRT services, and view them as an integral part of their overall transit and transportation plans. BRT routes have fewer stops than a regular bus route, which means they can cover more ground, more quickly. Four new BRT projects will fill important gaps in the existing transit network, and provide more direct connections to major destinations. Program 566 includes the following projects: North Crosstown BRT South Crosstown BRT 17 Avenue S.E. BRT (identified previously as 17 Avenue SE Transitway) Southwest BRT (identified previously as Southwest Transitway) The City of Calgary currently operates five BRT routes, including routes 300, 301, 302, 305 and 306. The infrastructure projects in Program 566 complement the existing network of BRT and LRT routes, and are designed with connections to the future Green Line LRT in mind. The map below shows future transit capital projects, as identified in RouteAhead (2012). A brief overview and map for each of the projects in Program 566 follows. TT2016-0335 Program 566 – RouteAhead Rapid Transit Corridors Update - Att 1 ISC: Unrestricted Page 1 of 6 Overview of Program 566 RouteAhead Rapid Transit Corridors TT2016-0335 Overview of Program 566 RouteAhead Rapid Transit Corridors Att-1.doc ISC: Unrestricted Page 2 of 6 Overview of Program 566 RouteAhead Rapid Transit Corridors North Crosstown BRT The North Crosstown BRT project includes station upgrades along the corridor, and the addition of transit priority measures such as queue jumps or priority signals. The North Crosstown BRT is a key part of Calgary Transit’s primary transit network and is identified as a high priority in RouteAhead. The new BRT project will operate mainly in regular traffic lanes. Transit vehicles will be given signal priority at intersections along the entire route. This is known as curbside service and has minimal infrastructure requirements while supporting active, pedestrian- friendly streets. TT2016-0335 Overview of Program 566 RouteAhead Rapid Transit Corridors Att-1.doc ISC: Unrestricted Page 3 of 6 Overview of Program 566 RouteAhead Rapid Transit Corridors South Crosstown BRT The South Crosstown BRT project includes station upgrades along the corridor, and the addition of transit priority measures such as queue jumps or priority signals where appropriate. The South Crosstown BRT project is a key part of Calgary Transit’s future primary transit network and is identified as a high priority in RouteAhead. It will connect with the future stations located at Quarry Park and Douglas Glen in the southeast, offering riders an additional connection to the future Green Line LRT. This project will improve the existing Route 306 service and extend the route to connect with the future Green Line LRT. Bus-only lanes are not planned for the South Crosstown BRT project, except between Richard Road S.W. and Heritage Drive S.W. where the South Crosstown BRT project will overlap with the Southwest BRT Project. Similar to North Crosstown BRT, the project includes curbside service and has minimal infrastructure requirements while supporting active, pedestrian-friendly streets. TT2016-0335 Overview of Program 566 RouteAhead Rapid Transit Corridors Att-1.doc ISC: Unrestricted Page 4 of 6 Overview of Program 566 RouteAhead Rapid Transit Corridors Southwest BRT The Southwest BRT project includes new BRT stations along the length of the route, and construction of new bus-only travel lanes on 14 Street W between Southland Drive and 75 Avenue S.W. Buses will run in mixed traffic along the rest of the route, except on portions of Glenmore Trail and Crowchild Trail, where buses will be able to use the shoulder lanes to bypass traffic in rush hour. The new Southwest BRT project will run from Downtown Calgary to Woodbine, and will provide direct connections to major destinations that are currently underserviced by rapid transit, such as Southland Leisure Centre, Glenmore Landing, Heritage Park, Rockyview Hospital, Mount Royal University, Lincoln Park, Currie Barracks, and Marda Loop. The Southwest BRT project is a better service for current transit passengers and is a necessary, long-term transportation solution for the city. TT2016-0335 Overview of Program 566 RouteAhead Rapid Transit Corridors Att-1.doc ISC: Unrestricted Page 5 of 6 Overview of Program 566 RouteAhead Rapid Transit Corridors 17 Avenue SE BRT The 17 Avenue S.E. BRT project includes construction of new bus-only travel lanes and new BRT stations. The project also includes a refresh of the corridor itself, turning the avenue into a Complete Street with wider sidewalks, improved biking facilities, and new urban character elements. The City is moving forward with the design and construction of the 17 Avenue S.E. BRT project from 26 Street S.E. to Hubalta Road S.E. Historically known as the original Main Street of Forest Lawn, 17 Avenue S.E. is a unique corridor with many uses. This area is not only a secondary highway with regional connections, but it is also a culturally diverse hub (International Avenue), and part of Calgary's Primary Transit and Cycling Networks. 17 Avenue S.E. is identified as an Urban Boulevard in the Municipal Development Plan and is an area that is expected to redevelop in the future. This project will be the first step towards revitalizing 17 Avenue S.E., and the BRT will provide high-quality transit service for residents, commuters, and businesses in the area. TT2016-0335 Overview of Program 566 RouteAhead Rapid Transit Corridors Att-1.doc ISC: Unrestricted Page 6 of 6 .