The 'Bus Corridor' sign posted at the gated crossing on Costello
BV/58 St SW has been placed there to clarify that this location is a
possible future bus corridor. The reason for constructing this
facility well ahead of it being required for transit uses was to
establish a connection for use by emergency vehicles, since the
closest Fire Station is at 17 Ave and 45 St SW and the nearest full
traffic access is located at Strathcona Bv and Strathcona Dr SW.
Using this access reduces response times to some areas of Strathcona
quite significantly. The Strathcona community was designed with only
one full roadway access via this intersection on Strathcona Bv. This
crossing was planned for use by bus and emergency vehicles only.
Regular automobile traffic will not be able to use this crossing.
With the opening of the West LRT, the bus only crossing at 58 St
and Costello Bv will provide a critical link so that residents of
Strathcona and Christie estates will have convenient access to the
LRT station at Costello Bv and 17 Ave SW. The bus-only connection
will reduce the bus travel from Strathcona to LRT by approximately
10 to 15 minutes. In addition to making transit travel more
attractive, the reduced bus travel time will allow Calgary Transit
to operate a more direct, effective and lower cost bus service in
this area. It should be noted that it is highly unlikely that this
connection would be used by buses serving communities outside of
Strathcona and Christie Estates.
