Over the summer of 2024, we collected over 250 responses to our revamped missing links survey.
Thank you to everyone who contributed their experiences around the city. You can see all the submissions in our Missing Links 2024 map.
We’ve highlighted six case studies of inexpensive, straight-forward improvements that could be possible on city streets and sidewalks around the city. Some of these are teeny fixes, some of them need a little more asphalt and engineering, but all are low cost and high impact.
Want to see more? Let us know and we’ll go back to the survey results.
Missing Link 1 | Missing Sidewalk
119 Street between 34 Ave and Westbrook Drive
Issue: This stretch of 119 Street appeared frequently in our survey responses. This area includes several bus stops serving southbound travelers, but there’s no sidewalk on the west side of the street. As a result, the bus stops are like isolated islands, forcing people to cross up to six lanes of traffic, often at marked crosswalks that lack any signals or flashing lights.
Solution: To improve safety and accessibility for Greenfield and Sweetgrass neighbourhoods, a sidewalk on the west side of 119 Street is needed. Along with installing flashing lights at key crossings, this fix would make it safer and more comfortable for people to reach the bus stops, especially during busy traffic hours or in low-visibility conditions.
Missing Link 2 | Narrow Sidewalk
112 ave between 80-84 street (south side of road)
Issue: The sidewalk along 112 Avenue, just west of Commonwealth Stadium and near Borden Park, plays an important role in connecting people to major destinations, especially during large events, festivals, and sunny summer days when foot traffic spikes.
This area is well-connected, located near Stadium LRT Station, key active transportation routes, and the neighbourhoods of Cromdale, Parkdale, Alberta Avenue, and McCauley. However, the existing sidewalk is too narrow to handle the high volumes of pedestrians it often sees.
Worse, it’s cluttered with power poles and guy line, forcing people to weave around obstacles or step into the street. The sidewalk also runs directly beside fast-moving traffic, creating an uncomfortable and unsafe experience for those walking or rolling.
Solution: We have re-envisioned the sidewalk to be adjusted to become a wide, unobstructed shared-use path. This new path would include a boulevard or buffer zone to separate people from vehicle traffic, making the corridor significantly safer and more enjoyable for pedestrians and cyclists.
This improved connection would not only reduce crowding and increase safety on busy event days, it would also provide better year-round access to Borden Park, the Highlands area, and the shared-use path network along the LRT corridor. It’s a smart, people-first upgrade that benefits both daily commuters and festival-goers alike.
This kind of people-focused improvement aligns well with upcoming plans for the area. As part of the Active Transportation Network Expansion project, 110 Avenue/90 Street from 92 Street to 112 Avenue and 112 Avenue from 90 Street to 76 Street will be getting a shared pathway with construction starting in 2025!
Missing Link 3 | Missing Crossing Signal
66 Ave NW between 91 ST NW and 88 St NW
Issue: This crossing links the 91 Street active transportation route to Argyll Park, Mill Creek Ravine, and nearby amenities like the Velodrome and ball diamonds, all of which are popular with families and children. It also serves as a key connection point for residents living in the southern parts of Hazeldean and Argyll.
However, the wide road design and absence of cross traffic make this stretch feel more like a speedway than a neighbourhood connector. Drivers are often tempted to speed through, creating a hazardous environment for people trying to walk, roll, or bike across safely.
Solution: To improve safety, we recommend installing a flashing pedestrian crossing signal to slow down traffic and alert drivers to people crossing. This should be paired with curb bump-outs, which narrow the roadway at the crossing and help naturally calm traffic by encouraging slower speeds.
These simple but effective upgrades would create a safer, more welcoming crossing, especially for children and families accessing nearby parks and recreational facilities.
Missing Link 4 | Inadequate Crossing Signal
111 Avenue between 120 Street and 121 Street
Issue: This intersection requires people to cross six lanes of fast-moving traffic, yet it is only equipped with user-activated flashing lights, which many survey respondents told us are not enough to ensure driver compliance. Several survey respondents reported close calls with vehicles, even when the lights were flashing.
The wide road design encourages speeding and makes it harder for drivers to spot pedestrians or cyclists in time. This is especially concerning given that this crossing is part of a major north-south shared-use path serving the Queen Mary Park neighbourhood.
Solution: Given the high traffic volume and its role as a critical connection in the active transportation network, we believe this crossing should be upgraded to include a bike- or pedestrian-activated red light. Unlike flashing lights, a red signal would require vehicles to stop, significantly improving safety and visibility for people walking, rolling, or biking across this wide and busy road.
Missing Link 5 | Unusable Sidewalk
85 Street between 84 Ave and 88 Ave
Issue: On the west side of Bonnie Doon Mall, the sidewalk is significantly obstructed by trees, making it nearly unusable, posing a particular challenge for people using wheelchairs, mobility devices, or pushing strollers, especially since the other side of the road does not have a consistent stretch of sidewalk.
This is a serious problem given the nearby LRT station, Bonnie Doon Library, and Leisure Centre, all of which attract a steady flow of foot traffic. What should be a key pedestrian route becomes a frustrating or even impassable path for many.
Solution: A simple but effective fix would be to swap the location of the sidewalk and grass boulevard. This would preserve the existing trees, while creating a clear and accessible pathway. The new layout would also add a natural buffer between pedestrians and traffic, improving comfort and safety for everyone walking, rolling, or cycling through the area.
This change would turn an obstructed route into a welcoming, functional connection that supports inclusive and active transportation in the heart of Bonnie Doon.
Missing Link 6 | Missing Sidewalk
66 Street between 167 Ave and 178 ave
Issue: The shared-use path on 66 Street currently ends abruptly at 167 Avenue, leaving a gap in the active transportation network. This sudden stop can be confusing and frustrating for pedestrians and cyclists who rely on continuous, safe routes. More importantly, it severs a direct connection to the McConachie neighbourhood, limiting residents’ easy access to nearby destinations and amenities.
Because of this gap, people walking or biking may be forced to detour onto less safe or less convenient routes, which can discourage active transportation and reduce overall connectivity in the area.
Solution: By extending the shared-use path northward beyond 167 Avenue, the city can create a seamless, continuous route that links the existing network to the McConachie neighbourhood and other northern communities.
This expansion would complement existing active transportation connections to the south and west, making it easier and safer for residents in these north-side neighbourhoods to walk, bike, and roll. Improved connectivity encourages more sustainable travel options, supports healthier lifestyles, and strengthens community ties across the area.