After continuous beginnings of talks and then ends of talks, the ring road has once again been brought to the spotlight, with many once again saying that there is a chance that the ring road may be finally completed. There has long been controversy about whether or not to send the ring road through First Nations’ land, but other alternatives have not been examined enough to completely remove these possibilities.
One other possibility, which has some merit in that it does not cross First Nations lands, is the idea to use Macleod trail and Deerfoot – this route would allow for a quicker completion of the ring road, but brings up many problems of its own. Both of these roads already suffer from massive amounts of traffic, especially during certain times of day when the ring road would also being seeing use. The amount of traffic that would be placed on these roads would significantly outweigh the effect of having a completed ring road, making this idea not overly viable.
If one glances at a map of the region, it seems clear that the best course of action would be to make the road right next to the Tsuu T’ina Nation – if that land is a viable space for a road, why wouldn’t the land next to it also be viable? This plan, which has been brought up and discussed many times in the past, proposes that the ring road be completed by using what is currently 37thStreet, creating a road that continues straight in a North – South direction next to the Tsuu T’ina’s land. The main issues with this plan are the environmental impact and the community demolitions. This plan, if followed through on, would go through the Weasel head Natural Park, endangering the flora and fauna contained in that area. Also, according to a report done by Transportation Alberta, eleven communities would be impacted in some way, with six potentially losing land to complete this road.
For the last forty years the idea of a ring road has been discussed, with no clear solution ever coming to light. Every solution has had its own set of issues, with many not addressing the real reason for a ring road – easing congestion on the inner roads and making transport around the city easier, having negative environmental impacts, negatively influencing communities or using land which isn’t owned or usable by the government. Of these factors, I believe that the important issues that must be satisfied before beginning construction are ensuring that the ring road meets the purpose of a ring road, and will have a positive effect on the communities it surrounds, and that the land is owned by the government, or is used with permission by the land owners, avoiding conflicts in the future.
Currently, what can we hope will happen with the ring road? Though the hope that a deal is nearing completion is almost always in the news, with the construction of a hotel and expansion to the casino located in Tsuu T’ina land, First Nations leaders may be more amiable, helping to close an agreement soon. If not, the only remaining solution which would be beneficial is 37th Street – depending on the environmental impact, this plan may change, however. What are your thoughts on what the government should do for the ring road?