Calgary Closes Dangerous Turn Lane After Multiple Crashes Near Dayhome
City officials in Calgary have taken decisive action by temporarily closing a problematic turn lane in the southwest Bridlewood neighborhood. This move comes in direct response to multiple vehicle incidents that have endangered a local dayhome and raised serious safety concerns among residents over the past two years.
Vehicles Crash Into Dayhome Property
According to reports, several vehicles have driven onto the front yard of a dayhome located at 2 Bridlecrest Boulevard S.W., with one vehicle even smashing through the property's front fence. These alarming incidents have occurred despite the posted 60 km/h speed limit, as vehicles entering from Stoney Trail reportedly approach at excessive speeds and fail to slow down adequately before the turn.
"To me, no matter what, that entrance has to be closed because it's just unsafe," stated Ward 13 Councillor Dan McLean, who has been actively involved in addressing the dangerous intersection.
Residents Document Multiple Incidents
Neighborhood resident Christine Sinclair has been at the forefront of advocacy efforts, documenting over ten similar incidents at the intersection in the past two years. In a letter submitted to city officials and media outlets, Sinclair detailed how vehicles have repeatedly driven onto sidewalks near the dayhome, creating what she describes as an unacceptable risk to children and families in the area.
"Despite a 60 km/h speed limit, vehicles approaching from Stoney Trail tend to enter the neighbourhood at high speeds and don't have enough time to slow down before the turn," Sinclair explained, highlighting the fundamental safety issue that has persisted despite previous mitigation attempts.
Temporary Closure Implemented
As of Saturday, vehicles can no longer turn right from 162nd Avenue S.W. onto Bridlecrest Boulevard S.W. The city has placed barricades and signage to block the turn lane while officials work toward a permanent solution for the area.
Councillor McLean emphasized that the barricades will remain in place until the city can determine an appropriate long-term resolution. "There's still a potential of having the exit closed when coming in but still being able to exit out of there," he noted, suggesting various configurations are being considered for the problematic intersection.
Previous Safety Measures Proved Insufficient
Over the past two years, city officials have attempted several interventions to address the safety concerns:
- Increased signage at the intersection
- Erected physical barriers
- Approved a pilot closure between June and September of last year
Despite these efforts, the dangerous incidents continued, ultimately necessitating the current temporary closure. The pilot closure conducted last year was intended to test the efficacy of a road closure, but the recent crashes demonstrate that more permanent action is required.
Community Response and Future Solutions
Councillor McLean has engaged extensively with residents, going door-knocking in the neighborhood three times over the last two years. He reports receiving a range of responses, with some residents strongly supporting the exit closure while others express concerns about increased commute times.
"This has been something the city and myself have been on top of since day one," McLean stated. "You just can't close the road immediately, without any engagement. That's just the proper thing to do."
The temporary closure represents the latest step in what has become an ongoing safety challenge for the Bridlewood community. As city officials work toward a permanent solution, residents continue to advocate for concrete action, including potentially closing the exit permanently and holding meetings with decision-makers to ensure the safety of their neighborhood.
