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Decision on 43 Street South closure delayed two weeks

Mar 20, 2018 | 1:25 PM

LETHBRIDGE – City Council has delayed a decision to allow for the permanent closure of 43 St. S. from the Hwy 4/ 24 Ave S. intersection, to the area near Gateway Mews South.

At a public hearing Monday, the closure was requested by the developer to allow for construction of the new Southbrook School and sports fields on the east side of what is now 43 St. S.

The first stage, beginning May1, would be to close 43 St. S. to all traffic except for emergency vehicles, from 24 Ave. S., to Fairmont Gate. 

Motorists who access the road to get to their homes or south Lethbridge shopping, would be detoured around the area as new roads are being built.

The second stage of the project in July would permanently close 43 St. S from Fairmont Gate to the Gateway Mews S. area, and the third phase of the project beginning in August would permanently close the entire roadway from Hwy 4/24 St. S to the Gateway Mews area.

New roads would be constructed around the school. The proposed plan would see motorists turning left at the Hwy 4 intersection, travelling southeast to a newly constructed 47 St. S, then right on a newly extended Fairmont Gate South.

There would be an additional road network also constructed so those living in the Southgate area could also access their homes or shopping.

Several presenters at Monday’s public hearing expressed their opposition to the closure of 43 St. S., indicating that it was a main road for many in the south end to access their homes, or that it was used as an alternative to the congestion on Mayor Magrath Drive.

Still others questioned how much money had been put into repaving 43 St. South recently, before the request was made to close the road off to all traffic.

Council will revisit the decision April 3, 2018.