Cochrane's largest infrastructure project to date, the much-anticipated Jack Tennant Memorial Bridge, recently had its grand opening, which was marked by a low-key, physically distanced celebration and plenty of fireworks.

City delves into intelligent traffic technologies in preparation of autonomous future

There's method to the madness that is Calgary's rush-hour traffic.

And if autonomous vehicles play into mainstream society the way many are predicting, our city could be at the forefront of changing that daily commute, suggest local officials.

While drivers stuck in gridlock may feel differently, Calgary currently operates one of the most advanced traffic systems in Canada – a claim backed up earlier year in a TomTom Traffic Index survey that identified Calgary as the least congested city in Canada.

Highland Park reimagining could invigorate northwest community 

The former Highland Golf Course in northwest Calgary could be host to a new kind of activity in the form of a major redevelopment.

Developer Maple Projects Inc. recently shared plans for its "reimagining" of the 21-hectare site – which would include up to 2,100 housing units as well as a commercial development along Centre Street N. – at an open house which drew, among others, members of the local community association, who believe the development could provide a boost to the area.

"Absolutely, it can be a huge benefit for the community,"

"Absolutely, it can be a huge benefit for the community," said Paul Engler, chair of the development committee for the Highland Park Community Association. "We are looking very much forward to it. We are working with the developer to come up with something that's awesome for them, for our future neighbours and for our existing neighbours."

Community cites lack of consultation

A bike lane proposed for northwest Calgary is meeting with some controversy from area residents who say the new lane could lead to increased traffic and parking woes.

While the new lane is intended to connect the city's growing cycle network from existing tracks along Northland Drive and Cambrian Drive/10th Street N.W., residents expressed concerns at a recent open house.

Toni Pilkey, president of the Triwood Community Association, said to those in attendance that the project has not undergone enough consultation with area residents and that the City is being "underhanded" in moving the project forward.

In October 2011, The City installed the bike lanes on 10th Street N.W., between Fifth Avenue N.W. and Cambrian Drive/Northmount Drive N.W., as part of a pilot project. The City monitored and evaluated the new roadway design for the next four seasons, and based on increased ridership, determined the bike lanes should be permanent.

Big data key to improving traffic flow, say officials

Big data is becoming a big deal when it comes to city traffic planning.

In April, Toronto Mayor John Tory announced a specialized team to analyze the movement of traffic to help alleviate his city's ongoing gridlock problem.

Traffic planners will look at data collected from GPS signatures pulled from smartphones and other electronic devices to figure out how traffic moves around Toronto.

Other cities such as Amsterdam, Stockholm and Barcelona are already using big data to help ease congestion on their streets, and Tory said Toronto is eager to join the ranks of what he calls 'Smart' cities.

Out West, Calgary has been using data to analyze traffic habits for the past four years.

Calgary cycle track pilot seeing success in early days

For Calgarian Adrian Murphy, the opening of a second of four routes for the City's cycle track pilot is welcome news.

"I'm really looking forward to it," he said of the Fifth Street S.W. track, which opened June 12 and will allow him to cycle from his home in Mission to the 12th Avenue leg, which opened on June 4, and then to work.

Currie Barracks development to add 11,000 residents under higher density model

A proud history is set to become an ambitious future for one of Calgary's most historic communities.

Currie Barracks, the former Canadian Forces Base (CFB) in southwest Calgary, is about to undergo a transformation that will eventually see the area home to as many as 11,000 new residents.