Decision to close 43 Street S. moving ahead after City Council vote

The closure was requested by the developer to allow for the construction of the new Southbrook School and sports fields on the east side of what is now 43 St. S at a meeting two weeks ago.

Mayor Chris Spearman said he understands that those in the community may feel different than those on council, but felt the closure was the best way to fix the current problems in the area.

“I think in the short term keeping 43 Street open is a Band-Aid, and I’m sorry we spent the money we did on it, but with the new school going in I think the community is going to have to get used to the routing,” he continued. “The sooner we can get people used to that the better.”

Councillor Joe Mauro said that if this process is considered good planning, then he would really hate to see bad planning.

“We call it planning for a reason so people that want to move into the community or own land around our planning, are engaged and involved. The owners north of this to my understanding weren’t involved in any of this planning, and it greatly impacts them. To me, this is one of the craziest things that I have seen in my terms on council,” Mauro said.

The first stage, beginning May 1, would be to close 43 St. S. to all traffic except for emergency vehicles, from 24 Ave. S., to Fairmont Gate.

Drivers 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.

by Aaron Mahoney (@Mahones93 on Twitter)

Decision to close 43 Street S. moving ahead after City Council vote

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