As was the case for Woodland Drive, C&E Trail north of Woodland Drive, and 50th Street south of Woodland can be expected to function near to or at their 10,000 vehicle per day capacity at the 20,000 population horizon. It is also worth noting that the section of 50th Street in front of the schools north of 54th Avenue can expect to see double the daily traffic at the 20,000 population horizon as is present today, even with the inclusion of the 63rd Avenue extension west to 58th Street.
The original continuous alignment of C&E Trail was severed many years ago, and the lands were subsequently developed as playing fields as part of the adjacent school and recreation centre sites. The remaining sections of C&E Trail play a significant role in the management of traffic volumes within the Town as C&E Trail is and will continue to function as the main north/south route for the Town, carrying 10,000 vehicles per day north of Woodland Drive.
The section of C&E Trail between 54th Avenue and Highway 12 can be expected to carry increased traffic volumes, and the same is true of the section south of Highway 12, which also provides access to the hospital. If C&E Trail could be re-connected, then local traffic could be more effectively distributed, and the forecast traffic volumes passing the front of the schools in the area would be reduced as through traffic would remain on C&E Trail, while traffic destined for the schools and/or the Downtown area would turn onto 50th Street at the north point of re-connection. Overall, the roadway would be returned to its original function as a vital north/south linkage through the Town. As well, 50th Street would see considerably fewer vehicle trips and it too would be returned to its original function as a collector standard (or perhaps primary collector standard) roadway.
A concept showing the proposed re-connection and the interface with 50th Street is illustrated conceptually on Exhibit 8-6. However, it should be noted that the volumes shown on this exhibit reflect the condition without the reconnection. It should also be noted that the recommended roadway classification shown on Exhibit 8-5 shows C&E Trail as a Primary Collector through its length. It may be necessary to upgrade the roadway to an Arterial classification between Woodland Drive and College Avenue beyond the 20,000 population horizon. Since this roadway is already constructed, it would be an academic exercise to make this change. However, it is not necessary given the volumes and will only become an issue if development in the area chooses top seek additional access to/from C&E Trail at reduced intersection spacings. Such requests would need to be reviewed on a case by case basis.
The review of the proposed road network at the 20,000 population horizon identified considerable benefits to re-connecting this roadway so as to make C&E Trail once again continuous through the Town. It is therefore recommended that the Town pursue opportunities to re-connect this roadway prior to the 20,000 population horizon, and further, that the Town undertake a conceptual design exercise to determine the necessary right of way and other requirements as soon as possible.