CALGARY, Alta. — One of Calgary’s leading mayoral candidates, Bev Longstaff, has promised to improve road access to downtown businesses, but it could be road users who pay.

Longstaff recently said toll roads could be used to fix the city’s roads and construct a bridge over the Bow River, as well as to connect Shaganappi Trail with Bow Trail.

The idea of a bridge there is nothing new, it’s been brought up and shot down before because of environmental concerns.

“It’s not about what’s popular or not popular, it’s about how to do it,” Longstaff tells local media. “Looking at the Stoney Trail bridge, there are no technological solutions to do a Shaganappi bridge in an environmentally-sensitive manner.”

Longstaff also suggested building a new transportation corridor from 37 St. S.W. to Crowchild Tr., as well as upgrades to Glenmore Trail and Crowchild Trail. However, she said user fees are the way to fund the project.

Mayoral candidate Ray Clark was quick to poke holes in Longstaff’s plans.

“Calgarians would rather pay up-front and not be nickled and dimed,” he says.