As you may be aware, the City of Edmonton is planning for a more sustainable future by encouraging Transit Oriented Development (TOD) around existing and future LRT Stations – almost 60 in total.

Transit Oriented Development refers to development that is planned and integrated around a transit station. Its aim is to create more attractive, liveable, and compact neighbourhoods based on pedestrian-friendly design and a well connected mix of land uses within roughly 400 meters walking distance of a transit station.

My work, alongside a team of talented consultants and committed community members, seeks to find out how TOD can strengthen and preserve the character of the McKernan and Belgravia neighbourhoods while capitalizing on the benefits of the existing LRT station. Put another way, we are looking at how we can make both community and LRT station work better together through TOD planning.

To date, we have conducted research on the area, spoken with local community leagues, and on November 22, 2011 held our first Public Open House Workshop at the McKernan Elementary Junior High School. We had an excellent turnout with about 120 people attending to hear about the project and share their own knowledge of the area with us. At the meeting, our team displayed some boards about the project followed by a presentation, a little Q&A, and then a series of break-out discussions based on a workbook we prepared to help facilitate things.

The information we collect will inform what policies, redevelopment concepts and design guidelines will best support TOD in McKernan and Belgravia neighbourhoods.

Overall I’d say we received excellent feedback from the Open House Workshop which we will post a summary of on our webpage when ready. This will help us ensure the project’s final recommendations are grounded in the community’s aspirations while reflecting local conditions, opportunities, constraints, and collective solutions. But don’t worry – there’s still time to have your say!

If you haven’t read the workbook and sent us your comments – please do! Alternatively, you can always share your thoughts here on this blog.

So I open it up to you… what do you think of the current area around the McKernan/Belgravia station? Do you walk and do errands in the area? How might the neighbourhood immediately around the LRT station change over time? What new uses or amenities could make the neighbourhood around the LRT station more interesting, attractive and liveable? What do you think? We want to know.

Welcome to the Edmonton this Week Podcast, an in-depth look at City of Edmonton programs and initiatives that affect your life. Each week, your host, Wade Sorochan, takes you inside City Hall and around Edmonton to speak to the people who operate our city.

Listen on iTunes

Listen to an interview:

• Downtown arena financial framework approved
• Home$aver Event
• Scona Road rehab completed

The Edmonton This Week radio show airs every Saturday at 7:30 am and 6:00 pm on 630 CHED.

Please leave your thoughts and comments below, but note that it may take time to answer specific questions.

Last spring, Brad Smid, LRT Design & Construction Project Manager, took a helicopter tour of downtown and northwest Edmonton. The purpose? To get a bird’s-eye-view of the future North LRT route and bring back footage to help residents and City administration visualize where the North LRT to NAIT will run less than 2.5 years from now.

Check it out:

From ground level, it’s difficult to envision the future North LRT and what it will mean for the way we move in the city.  We focus on construction impacting traffic, businesses and neighbourhoods in the MacEwan, Kingsway and NAIT area, when the conversation should really be about how these areas will benefit from accessible public transit when the project is completed.

However, progress is being made. Kingsway has been relocated, the tunnel portal on 105 Avenue and foundations for Kingsway/Royal Alex Station and MacEwan Station are being built and track slab is being laid on 104 Street, Kingsway and 106 Street.

Relocated Kingsway between 102 St & 106 St open

Construction crews constructing tunnel portal on 105 Ave between 101 St & 103 St

Track slab laid on Kingsway & 104 St with starting of Kingsway/Royal Alex Station foundation construction in background

Hopefully the helicopter video and animated NLRT videogive you a better idea of what the North LRT will look like once it’s complete and in operation.

Aggressively expanding Edmonton’s LRT network will bring us one step closer to having a more sustainable, compact and environmentally friendly transportation system and a revitalized downtown.

For more information on North LRT, visit www.edmonton.ca/nlrt

Tell us your thoughts and hopes for the future of public transportation in our city by commenting below.

Carpool Week
October 24 to 28, 2011

Carpooling, even once a week, could save you more than 10% of your commuting costs and a lot of traffic aggravation. You can save money on gas, parking and vehicle maintenance. Carpooling is also an efficient and sustainable way to help reduce road congestion and CO2 emissions.

You know carpooling is a good idea, but where to start? Finding carpool buddies is a lot easier than you might think.

5 easy steps to carpooling:

1. Visit Carpool.ca to find a match.
Don’t have anybody to carpool with? We can help you with that. Visit Carpool.ca to sign up and find others who share similar destinations and schedules.

2. Review your matches and get to know them.
Depending on your location, you may receive multiple matches. Send a quick email to your matches and have a brief conversation. This will help you determine whom you get along       with, share your preferences (driver, rider or shared duties) and decide on schedules.

3. Make the arrangements.
Carpooling is more flexible than a lot of people think. You can take turns driving or one person can drive depending on your agreed upon needs and desires.

Before you begin carpooling, discuss costs and determine how they will be shared. Establish the ground rules and create a backup plan just in case something comes up. Finally, set up a meeting location and time.

4. Ready, set, carpool!
Now you’re all set to begin carpooling.

5. Repeat step 4.

Depending on your schedule and lifestyle, you may be able to carpool every day or only once a week. That is okay; carpooling is there for you and you can use it when it works best for you. It’s that easy!

You can also consider carpooling with other families on your children’s sports teams, or start a grocery carpool with your neighbour—you’ll have more money for treats when you get to the store.

Visit Carpool.ca to sign up for free and get your matches. During carpool week, October 24 to 28, you can also enter to win an iPad 2, Kindle, free fuel or GPS systems!

The City of Edmonton has launched a campaign to help motorists and cyclists learn to play nice.

As the City completes the construction of 21 kilometers of new on-street bike routes to help people choose cycling as a safe, healthy and efficient way to get around the city, motorists and cyclists will be sharing the road more and more.

With all the new routes and the pavement markings that come along with them, motorists and cyclists may be wondering what the new markings mean, and how they are expected to share the road.

One Road Safety Quiz

Start

Question 1

The new bike routes are made up of:

	Bike Lanes and Shared-Use Lanes
	Bike Lanes and Car Lanes Hint: Close...
	Shared-Use Lanes and Car-Only Lanes Hint: Close...
	None of the above Hint: Nope

Question 1 Explanation:Bike Routes are comprised of both Bike Lanes and Shared-Use Lanes. These cycle-friendly facilities are specially designed to support safe and efficient bicycle transportation.

Question 2

This symbol means:

	Blinged out bike ahead Hint: Nice try...
	Black diamond bike run – Only expert cyclists permitted Hint: Hit the ski hill...
	Bike Lane – Only bicycles between the solid lines
	Diamonds are a bike’s best friend Hint: Funny, but no.
	All of the above Hint: Keep trying...

Question 2 Explanation:Yes! This symbol marks a Bike Lane. Bike Lanes are dedicated to the exclusive use of bikes. Motorists can’t stop, park or drive on Bike Lanes. However, they can cross a Bike Lane when turning into accesses or driveways, or when parking is permitted between the curb and the bike lane.

Question 3

When the solid white line of a Bike Lane becomes dashed before an intersection drivers can…

	Look out for Pac Man Hint: Nom, nom, wrong...
	Enter the Bike Lane to turn right after ensuring it is safe to do so
	Do nothing, drivers can never enter or cross a Bike Lane Hint: They wish...
	Play hopscotch Hint: Sounds fun, but no...

Question 3 Explanation:Nice one! When the solid white line of a Bike Lane changes from solid to dashed, drivers drivers who want to turn right should do a safety check and then enter the lane.

Question 4

This symbol on the road tells us…

	Bikes love hats Hint: Fancy, but no...
	This is a Shared-Use Lane
	Bikes need houses too Hint: WRONG!
	Tandem bikes only Hint: Nope...

Question 4 Explanation:That's right! The symbol represents a Shared-Use Lane and the direction of traffic flow. Shared-Use Lanes indicate that the roadway is to be shared between motorists and cyclists. Shared-Use Lanes guide cyclists on the road and remind drivers to expect cyclists in their travel lane. The arrows on the symbol indicate the direction of traffic flow.

Question 5

Are cyclists required to ride on Bike Routes?

	Yes, bikes stay on bike routes and motorists drive everywhere else; that is why the bike routes were installed
	No, bikes don't belong on the roads at all.
	No, the bike routes are provided as an option to make it easier for cyclists to ride on city streets.

Question 5 Explanation:Good choice! Although cyclists are encouraged to use the bicycle routes, they are not required to travel within reserved bike lanes or shared-use lanes only. Cyclists can ride on all city streets.

Question 6

Do cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motorists?

	Heck Yeah, DUH!
	Nope Hint: Duh, no.

Question 6 Explanation:Cyclists and motorists have the same rights and responsibilities as motorists. Everyone has to follow the rules of the road and deserves to be treated with respect.

There are 6 questions to complete.

List

Return Shaded items are complete.

1	2	3	4	5
6

Return

You have completed questions question Your score is Correct Wrong Partial-Credit You have not finished your quiz. If you leave this page, your progress will be lost. Correct Answer You Selected Not Attempted Final Score on Quiz Attempted Questions Correct Attempted Questions Wrong Questions Not Attempted Total Questions on Quiz Question Details Results Date Score Time allowed minutes seconds Time used Answer Choice(s) Selected Question Text All doneNeed more practice!Keep trying!Not bad!Good work!Perfect!

Now that you are filled with knowledge about the new bike routes, remember to share the roads and be safe.

If you really want to be safety savvy, just visit OneRoad.ca

Three months ago I started a new job at the City of Edmonton. I’m part of a new team working to encourage Edmontonians to change the way we get around the city – to leave the car keys behind and take transit, or walk, or cycle, or carpool to get where we’re going.

I knew the City was expanding the LRT and adding bike routes to our streets. I’d read The Way We Move – the City of Edmonton Transportation Master Plan ­– and liked its vision for a future Edmonton with an interconnected transportation system where citizens can walk, bike, bus and train efficiently and conveniently to their desired location.

The thing is . . . at my previous job, I drove to work. Every day. By myself. In my car.

But, with this job I knew I needed to put my money where my mouth is. If I’m going to talk the talk, I better walk the walk as it were. So, I bought my transit tickets and got ready for my first day of work and the LRT ride downtown. Here’s how I did . . .

Car-free commuting – take one: short lived enthusiasm

Getting ready for my first day of work, I was so anxious and fussy about my clothes, my hair… suddenly, while I started out early, now I was running late. So, I grabbed the car keys and I was off.

Car-free commuting – take two: sadly . . . ditto

Car-free commuting – take three

I finally got my act together and walked-jogged to Health Sciences LRT station, caught the train, and made it to my office… 15 minutes earlier than I thought I would. Hmmm. That was fast and pretty easy. The train was busy, but not uncomfortably crowded. And a heck of a lot cheaper than parking downtown.

So far so good?  Not so fast . . .

I tried to keep up the habit of the car-free commute. LRT to work in the morning then LRT or, if the weather cooperated, a nice relaxing walk home.

But . . . as happens in new jobs, I got really busy and I fell off the wagon – or train in this case. I found ‘discount parking’, and started driving again.

Fast forward 3 months later . . .

Changing how we travel in the city and making travel choices that are sustainable – taking the bus, cycling, walking, carpooling – is not always easy. Let’s face it, changing one habit for another? Very tough stuff! We need to understand that taking baby steps and making good choices when we can is the way to go. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing, and that’s ok.

The good news? I am more aware of my travel habits. I haven’t surrendered my car keys completely, but I am taking the LRT when I can . . . one day at a time!

My commitment?

It’s up to me to stick to it, to make sure I ask myself every time I reach for the car keys, “Do I need to drive, or is there a better way?”

Learn more at Parked Car Free Day!

Join the City on 106 St. between Whyte Ave and 84 Ave Thursday, September 22 from 4-7pm for fun free family activities and learn more about The Way We Move – the City of Edmonton Transportation Master Plan. You can also check out the new bike lanes and get some tips on how you can kick the car habit – even once a week. Visit TheWayWeMove.ca for all the details.

Welcome to the Edmonton this Week Podcast, an in-depth look at City of Edmonton programs and initiatives that affect your life. Each week, your host, Wade Sorochan, takes you inside City Hall and around Edmonton to speak to the people who operate our city.

Listen on iTunes

Listen to an interview:

The Edmonton This Week radio show airs every Saturday at 7:30 am and 6:00 pm on 630 CHED.

Please leave your thoughts and comments below, but note that it may take time to answer specific questions.

Animal Care & Control Officers like me see a lot more lost cats during the warmer months.  Sadly, many of these cats don’t make it home.

Only 9 per cent of lost and stray cats are reclaimed by their owners at the City’s Animal Care & Control Centre. Many of these cats would have made it home if they were wearing a pet licence. A licence makes it easy for us to contact the owner if their cat is found. It’s also the law: failure to obtain a licence for your cat could result in a $250 fine.

Make sure your cat is always wearing its licence. Even if it’s an indoor cat. All it takes is an open door or window for your indoor cat to slip out and get lost.

It’s also a really good idea to tattoo or microchip your cat. These forms of permanent identification allow your animal to be identified should it come to the Animal Care and Control Centre. Be sure to update your contact information regularly as an animal’s identification is no good if the phone number is out of service!

The City of Edmonton currently has an education campaign to remind cat and dog owners of their responsibilities. Animal Care and Control Officers are also patrolling Edmonton to promote responsible pet ownership.

Learn more at www.edmonton.ca/pets.

Watch a video about the City’s Animal Care and Control Centre.

Edmonton, I’d like to introduce you to Wade Sorochan. Though chances are you’ve already met. After 30 years interviewing city residents, celebs and politicians on Edmonton’s airwaves, Wade’s become a respected voice and passionate spokesperson for being informed and getting involved in civic affairs.

That’s why we’re happy to welcome him as the new host of Edmonton This Week, our weekly radio show and podcast which starts its new season this Saturday, September 10, on 630 CHED (7:30 am and 6 pm).

I sat down with Wade to chat about his time as a broadcaster in Edmonton and why he thinks Edmonton this Week is an important way for people to stay informed and get involved.

Tell me a little about your time as a broadcaster in Edmonton.

Well, I was born and raised in Edmonton so have been fortunate to spend my whole career here. I started in radio back in 1980 when got my first break on CJCA’s Bill & Bill Show, which was then the top rated talk show in Alberta. I worked for a while behind the scenes then became a feature on the program, nicknamed “The Tone Arm” because of my knowledge of music and how I used music to enhance the show, which at the time was not really done in the talk show industry in North America.

I love talk and information radio and I eventually hosted my own talk show on CJCA called Life Talk With Wade Sorochan, which was similar to The Bill & Bill show in that it was really a two and a half hour free-for-all. We had guests like celebrities and experts, but I really just wanted to let Albertans talk about whatever they wanted to talk about. In the end, the show became very successful as one of Edmonton’s most interactive radio shows.

What are the ingredients for a great interview?

First it comes down to what makes a good interviewer: Someone who is a good listener, who is very inquisitive and knows the subject inside and out. If you have those qualities, your guest  will  feel comfortable responding to the questions and you’ll be prepared for a line of questioning that may arise that you didn’t plan on. You have to always be thinking about what the listener might want to know and try to provide that information through the interview.

What drew you to the City’s Edmonton this Week radio show on CHED?

I’ve always thought the show was a great vehicle for people to learn what’s going on in the city and about the programs and initiatives the City is constantly working to provide.

People don’t get a lot of opportunity to go behind-the-scenes and hear from the people who actually work to make Edmonton a world class city. There’s so much amazing work being done all the time and I think the more people learn, the more they will be proud of their city and the more they’ll get involved.

What do you hope listeners take away from the new season of Edmonton this Week?

They should take away the fact that this city is not stagnant. Especially these days you can almost feel it moving forward like a freight train; moving to be a leader in so many different areas – technology, transportation, economic revitalization. And when you hear that you think: ‘Wow, the City is really doing something for me here.’

When people get complacent I believe it’s because of a lack of knowledge. This show gives you that knowledge of what the City is doing and then hopefully you’ll understand that they’re doing it for you. To make your life better in the city that you live in. I hope we can really get to that this season.

One addition I’m excited for this season is a new chance to provide feedback on topics and suggestions for the show through email. People can get in touch with the show at etw[at]edmonton.ca (replace [at] with @) and let us know what they want to hear more of on the show. We really want the show to be timely with what’s happening this week. Hence, the title “Edmonton this Week” I guess (laughs).

What keeps you living and working in Edmonton after all these years?

I just love this city. Like everyone I gripe about the weather, but you know what? I have so much to be thankful for in Edmonton. My roots are here, my family, and when I look around at the growth and really feel the rhythms of the city there’s amazing things happening all around.

The more I stay informed, the more I really delve into what’s going on in the city, the more I’m invested in it. It becomes more than just a city. It becomes my city. And that’s an important feeling to have. I hope that I can bring some of that passion to my time as the host of Edmonton this Week.

The Edmonton This Week radio show airs every Saturday at 7:30 am and 6:00 pm on 630 CHED.

Edmonton this Week is also available on iTunes

Please leave your thoughts and comments below, or email the show at etw[at]edmonton.ca

Construction of the North LRT to NAIT is well underway. Crews have been working hard during the 2011 construction season, removing buildings, relocating utilities, and, most significantly, relocating roads such as Kingsway.

The project is on schedule to open to public service in April 2014. Obviously there’s lots of work planned between now and then. When the North LRT opens to service it will provide sustainable transportation options to thousands of Edmontonians, but as construction progresses the City and its contractors are always exploring ways to make North LRT construction as sustainable and environmentally friendly as possible.

So far the City has found a few ways to enhance sustainability during construction:

Asphalt and concrete
Asphalt removed from Kingsway and other roadworks is used as dust-free; clean surfacing for construction lay-down areas around the North LRT project. Excess material is recycled at the City’s aggregate recycling facility.

Buildings
The City avoids removing buildings for its capital projects as much as possible, but several buildings had to be removed from the North LRT right-of-way. Whenever feasible, houses are relocated rather than demolished (four houses were saved from the North LRT project). Materials such as wood, brick, concrete, steel and other metals from demolished buildings are recycled. Approximately 90 per cent of material from the removed buildings was retrieved through this process.

Alternative Transportation
A multi-use trail will be built adjacent to the North LRT in accordance with the City’s strategic plans, The Way We Move and The Way We Green. Both plans encourage people to use motor vehicles less and increase use of active modes of transportation (such as cycling, running and walking) and of transit.

Trees
Saving as many trees as possible is part of the City’s mandate. Trees obstructing the LRT right-of-way are relocated as often as possible; trees that can’t be relocated are removed, but the wood from the trees is donated to grade school landscape projects and artworks. Leftover organic material is chipped for use in tree wells throughout Edmonton, or mulched and composted.

Landscape
Extensive landscaping is incorporated into the North LRT design, to add green space and trees to Edmonton’s urban form.

Water
Design of the future MacEwan Station allows rainwater to be collected and used for irrigation.

LRT operation alone accomplishes sustainability initiatives. Once the North LRT to NAIT is in full operation it’s expected to add approximately 13,200 weekday riders to Edmonton’s LRT network.  Ridership will continue to grow exponentially as Edmonton continues to grow and the LRT extends further west, northwest, northeast, south and southeast.

Building and growing a sustainable city requires careful consideration of reusing and recycling whenever possible. As Edmonton continues to grow the City and its contractors have a responsibility to be ever conscious about the future – not only of Edmonton, but of the planet as a whole.

Recycling is only one of the many steps people can take to practice environmentalism.

To learn more about Edmonton’s environmental strategic plan, visit www.edmonton.ca/thewaywegreen.

To learn about various recycling programs in Edmonton, visit www.edmonton.ca/recycling