From Calgarypedia

Overview

There are numerous ways to get around Calgary. While the car still remains the preferred mode of transportation for most Calgarians, the city also boasts one the of most expansive public transit systems in North America. Walking is a popular way to explore downtown, while more people than ever are riding bicycles to work. The +15 system connects downtown buildings together with the most extensive walkway system found anywhere in North America.

By Car

Traffic infrastructure in Calgary is based on a grid system with numerous freeways and expressways supplementing the smaller streets. Numbered streets run from north to south and avenues run from east to west. The city is divided into four quadrants: northeast, northwest, southeast and southwest, and all street names and addresses end with suffixes corresponding to the quadrant of the city (NW, NE, SE or SW). The central point of the quadrant system is the Centre Street Bridge.

Generally, freeways do not conform to the grid system and are named trails rather than numbers. The Deerfoot Trail is the largest thoroughfare in Calgary. It runs north from the airport to the southern city limits and can take you across the city in as little as 20 minutes depending on traffic conditions. The trail has no stoplights, but uses a freeway exchange system. Upgrades to widen the Deerfoot Trail at various sections are currently underway.

Major Streets

14^th Street W

16 Avenue N (Highway 1/Trans Canada Highway)

17^th Avenue S

52^nd Street E

Anderson Road

Barlow Trail

Blackfoot Trail

Bow Trail

Centre Street

Crowchild Trail

Deerfoot Trail

Glenmore Trail

Macleod Trail

McKnight Boulevard

Memorial Drive

Sarcee Trail

By Public Transit

Main Article: Calgary Transit

Calgary's public transportation system is run by Calgary Transit, which operates within the Calgary city limits. Calgary Transit operates and maintains the light rail system and bus services.

On Foot

Pedestrian Malls

Calgary's downtown is compact and easy to navigate once you are familiar with the quadrant system. There are two prominent pedestrian malls downtown where no vehicles are allowed during the day, the Eau Claire Market area and Stephen Avenue Mall on 8^th Avenue. Both are popular shopping and dining destinations.

+15 Elevated Walkway System

The +15 elevated walkway system is the most extensive of its kind in North America. The +15 system connects a large portion of the major downtown buildings via elevated walkways over streets, so pedestrians don't have to go outside to traverse from one building to the next.

It is called +15 because most of the bridges are built 15 feet or 4.57 meters above ground level. The system is climate controlled so pedestrians are comfortable during all seasons.

In total, there are 57 bridges and 16 kilometers of public walkways. They are accessible from connected buildings, as well as from the street level. +15 entrances can be identified by their distinctive blue signs.

By Bicycle

Calgary is home to one of the most extensive bike and walking trails in North America. The system consists of dedicated walking and bicycle paths, as well as cyclist lanes on major arteries leading into downtown. There are currently over 500 kilometers of pathways within the Calgary city limits that stretch to all corners of the city. Full maps of the Calgary pathways and bikeways system can be found at The City of Calgary website.