Coun. Tara McFadden announced at Monday night council that she will be bringing forward a motion that looks to implement a Griffin Road corridor design study, in an effort to get ahead of the capital infrastructure to come. "I want to make sure development along that corridor isn't ad-hoc ... Without foresight, we could end up with unintended consequences," said the fourth-term councillor, explaining that comprehensive planning will provide certainty for residents and for those seeking business opportunities as the bridge project and future community of Greystone - along Griffin and adjacent to Riverview - move ahead. McFadden added she doesn't believe Cochranites would want that corridor to solely be a utilitarian road, rather a multi-modal integrated system that includes design to accommodate pedestrians and cyclists. Over the next 10 years, the town is investing heavily in capital infrastructure projects that will transform that corridor. The Bow River south bridge crossing project that includes realignment of James Walker Trail on the south side and Griffin Road on the north has a planned completion for 2020. As the Southbow Landing development moves along, James Walker Trail will eventually be expanded through to Highway 22. There are also plans to upgrade the Centre Avenue railway crossing and future work with the province on the interchange project at highways 1A and 22. The Griffin Road corridor will become a major thoroughfare through town.
