As we all know, our “Hollywood” sign that has graced the 9 Street entrance to Bridgeland off Memorial Drive for the past couple of years continues to shrink, thanks to icy road conditions and inattentive drivers. What started as a sign proudly marking the entrance to Bridgeland was the result of the generosity of JEMM Properties, the company behind the Bridge apartment complex, who approached the BRCA to see what it could do by way of a contribution to the community. As the sign is located on City of Calgary property, the BRCA agreed to assume responsibility for its maintenance under a contract with the City.
During a snowstorm last April, a vehicle coming off Memorial Drive lost control and hit the sign destroying the “D” and temporarily changing the name of our neighbourhood to “Bridgelan.” Thanks to the security camera at Bridgeland Crossing’s Optometry, the Calgary Police Service was able to apprehend the driver of the vehicle that committed the D-struction. Negotiations ensued with the driver’s insurer and led to a settlement with the BRCA. We received a number of quotes from contractors to use the insurance proceeds to fix the sign and ultimately selected one to do the work. So far so good. But wait.
A few weeks ago, and just before the repairs were to commence, another out of control vehicle negotiating the exit from Memorial Drive to 9 Street hit the sign and sped off, resulting in the loss of the “N.” Welcome to “Bridgela.” Video footage has been turned over to the CPS and they are investigating. In the meantime, our little sign is once again the subject of media attention and commentary in social media, with the humour of Bridgelanders on full display. People have said the change to “Brid-gela” pays homage to our community’s Italian heritage. Others have suggested rearranging the remaining letters to form “La Bridge,” which will give our neighbourhood a certain cachet.
All joking aside, these incidents have brought attention to the fact that we have a serious safety issue with traffic entering the community from Memorial Drive. Given the increasing volume of pedestrian traffic from new apartments and businesses at the south end of 9 Street, people accessing the c-train station, and children being dropped off and picked up at the daycare centre less than 30 metres from the intersection, steps need to be taken to force motorists to slow down as they enter and exit 9 Street. The BRCA is pleased to see the City has now commenced a traffic study at this intersection and looks forward to being consulted as the study progresses. We are thankful that it has not needed a collision with a pedestrian to prompt this action to be taken.
In the meantime, the BRCA will address the question of what can be done with our sign pending further direction from the City as to the design of the intersection. Suggestions are welcome. Volunteers have even come forward on social media to dress as the “N” to stand with our resident “D” person next Halloween. Stay tuned, this is not the ND of the story.
Alex MacWilliam
