Medicine Hat approves Riverside Corridor plan with seven curb extensions
City council chose a design that keeps existing road widths on 3rd Street North after residents pushed back against narrowing seen on Division Avenue.
Why it matters
The decision shapes road safety and traffic flow for residents and commuters using 3rd Street North for years to come.
Medicine Hat city council has approved a revised design for the Riverside Corridor project, opting to keep the existing roadway width along 3rd Street North while adding curb extensions at seven key pedestrian crossings. The roughly two-kilometre corridor runs from Second Avenue Northeast to the Brier Park Road trail crossing and is set for roadway and underground infrastructure renewal.
The approved option drops earlier plans for a multi-use trail and dedicated cycling infrastructure, which would have required narrowing the roadway to about 11.9 metres to fit a 2.4- to three-metre path. City reports showed low public support for that narrower design during the second phase of engagement.
Mayor Linnsie Clark said feedback differed between residents and businesses along the corridor and commuters passing through, and that the city made a deliberate effort to consult after residents felt unheard following changes to Division Avenue. Councillor Yusuf Mohammed said the number of proposed curb extensions was cut from about 57 to seven, focused on high-priority locations.
Council's approval allows administration to proceed with detailed design and construction planning. The city's report acknowledges the chosen design does not fully align with several planning documents, including the Municipal Development Plan, the Riverside Area Redevelopment Plan and the Cycling Master Plan.
Compiled by the Alberta Daily Desk — an AI-written summary of reporting from the credited sources below, produced and reviewed under our editorial policy.