City plays catch up as pathway users spill onto Memorial Drive due to detour signs

Users of Calgary's Bow River pathway between 14th and 29th streets N.W. are slamming detour signs they say have people stepping out onto busy Memorial Drive, as the city plays catch up to mitigate safety concerns.

"It's actually pretty tough to read the signage where to go, so I am as confused as many this morning," frustrated cyclist Matthew Wilpert told CBC News early Friday.

Another cyclist, Jarrett Spiker, says the closure of that section of pathway earlier this weekhas quickly become a safety issue.

"I feel like we didn't get enough notice. I was biking to work today and all of a sudden I have to bike along Memorial Drive because I didn't know the pathway was going to be closed," he said.

"It certainly doesn't feel safe. People are going 70 km/h along here and they are not used to bikers on the road."

CBC News witnessed numerous cyclists, pedestrians and a skateboarder stepping out onto Memorial Drive circumventing the orange fencing on the east side of the path closure just west of 14th Street early Friday.

While there are signsexplaining the detours through the adjacent communities, many users saythe signs aren't prominent enough and a little notice would have helped.

That includes Colin Brandt, president of the Parkdale Community Association.

"This project came as quite a surprise when we heard about it, basically, the beginning of this week," Brandt said.

"People are having some difficultly making their way through the community because the signage is so poor."

Brandt says generally the city has been excellent in keeping user groups in the loop on changes related to the massive Crowchild Trail construction project, but not this time.

"At no point have they communicated with the community association directly," Brandt said this week's detour.

"An ongoing concern is the lack of signage in and around the detour, particularly for cyclists. They are having difficulty knowing where exactly they are to rejoin the path."

• Commuters in 'shock' after section of Bow River pathway closed in northwest Calgary

And as for path users weaving onto Memorial Drive which becomes Parkdale Boulevard west of Crowchild he says that's far from a great solution.

"That's cause for concern because a lot of drivers aren't going to be very familiar with seeing cyclists riding down a pretty major thoroughfare."

A city spokesperson says that, while there are signs, there has been a bit of catch up needed this week.

"We recognize it probably took some people by surprise," water resources acting director Andy Hughes told CBC News on Friday.

"We have worked very hard this week with key stakeholders to increase signage and barriers to make it more apparent. We have worked closely with Bike Calgary to make sure the signs are appropriate and continue to monitor that."

He says there are three construction crews working on that stretch of the pathway and some of the work had to be done during the summer as it's related to fish spawning activities in the Bow River.

The work is to repair 11 water outfalls along the section of the pathway, and the city hopes to have it done by mid-October.

"I do encourage Calgarians to recognize the signing and take the appropriate diversion routes," Hughes said.

Meanwhile, cyclist Spiker says it is what it is.

"I appreciate them doing work on it but it's a bit inconvenient," he said.

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With files from Colleen Underwood and Justin Pennell.