Easier access to Cold Lake Transit on the way

Accessing the Cold Lake Transit stops is about to get a little bit easier for city residents.

Through the Government of Alberta's Green Transit Incentives Program (GreenTRIP), the City of Cold Lake's transit system will undergo $240,000 in upgrades.

The city aims to improve access, safety, and overall comfort at high traffic stops throughout the current bus route.

"Some of the bus stops that we have in the city didn't have sidewalks or any connectivity to them. We're trying to make it easier for everybody to utilize the transit in cold lake," said Mayor Craig Copeland.

Some of the stops don't currently have any connection to the street whatsoever; instead residents have to walk through fields or parks to access them.

Paved pathways leading to the nearest sidewalk will be installed on the stops that lack connectivity, making access easier.

"When these bus stops were created they had no physical connection, no pathway, or even a sidewalk. Now, an asphalt path will be connected to the nearby existing sidewalks," explained Azam Khan, general manager of infrastructure services for the City of Cold Lake.

The second part of the project entails adding shelters to the same high traffic stops that will be getting concrete pads.

Stops at the Cold Lake Energy Centre, 50 Ave. at 46 St., the J.J. Parr Sports Centre, 54 Ave., and 52 Ave., will all get both concrete pads, and overhead shelters.

"Some of the stops didn't have the overhead units to keep people out of the elements. We've seen such a good ridership with the transit now we're just trying to put a little bit of money into it to make it a better experience for everybody," noted Copeland.

Sidewalks will be put in place at four locations: along 8 Ave., between 13 St. and 12 St.; along 16 St. from 14 Ave. to 16 Ave.; along 69 Ave. to connect with the Cold Lake Transit Centre; and 57 St. between 50 Ave. and Veteran's Way Dr.

Asphalt trails will also be constructed from the Millennium Trail, from the corner of 48 Ave. and 58 St. to the stop on Veteran's Way Dr.; from the Millennium Trail to Highway 28 by Shoppers Drug Mart, and from the corner of Goldenrod Gate and Wildrye Way to the stop on English Bay Road.

"Mostly this will be any bus stop that has a ridership of around 700 people over a certain period of time. Based on that we made a list of 10 bus stops and came up with the five or six top locations," detailed Khan.

Local company Nails Enterprises has been awarded the tender for the concrete work, while Blue Sky Coatings will construct the asphalt trails. Construction will begin immediately, with work expected to be complete by Nov. 1. The new shelters, however, aren't expected to arrive until late November with the exact installation date not set.

In addition to the upgrades, the city is expecting to add two more buses to their fleet, and have started exploring ways to cut down travel time along the route.

"We have a grant approved to get new buses. We're in the process of finalizing those tenders. We're also looking at enhancing the bus movement," explained Khan. "Right now the bus takes 45 minutes to an hour to complete one route. The idea is to have an accelerated route so people can complete one route in close to 30 minutes."

The routes were selected for work based on ridership, with officials looking for 700 people using the bus in a short period of time for a stop to be considered.

Khan explained all of the stops chosen met the requirement, and officials have been enjoying the success of the transit program to this point. The city hopes easier access will only further the benefit transit has had on the community.

"The free ridership has worked well and council is definitely willing to fund the deficit through the operating budget. It's really made the livability of our city that much easier for everybody," said Copeland.