What is the
Corridor Enhancement Plan?
On October 8th,
at the Sundre Community Centre, the Corridor Enhancement Committee of Council
hosted a public information session regarding a Corridor Pilot Project. This committee was formed in 2013 and is made
up of residents, stakeholders and Councillors.
The job of the Committee is to review a study (the Genivar report) compiled
by consultants, get feedback from local residents and businesses, and make
recommendations to Council as to how changes should be made to improve Highway
27 through Sundre. The plan also covers
parts of Centre Street.
There is some
history to this issue. The Town of
Sundre doesn't own Highway 27 - the Province does. In 2008, Alberta Transportation made the
decision to change Highway 27 through Sundre from 2 lanes to 4 lanes. The reason for the change was that there was
expected to be increases in traffic volumes and this was seen as a logical
solution to traffic flow.
The change has
raised many safety concerns from citizens as large trucks pass, what many
complain to be dangerously close to pedestrians on the sidewalk. Businesses have complained about debris being
bounced from the roadway. The
"original parking lanes" are deteriorating and breaking up as they
were not originally intended, according to some, to carry such heavy traffic so
regularly.
Some businesses
have cited a 30% loss in revenue with the loss of parking and the reduced
"foot traffic" past their businesses - and that comes from businesses
that continue to operate. There have
been businesses that have simply closed the doors. There is concern from the Chamber of Commerce
that perhaps $15 million in lost revenue may have been one of the unintended
consequences of this change from 2 lanes to 4 lanes. This is a devastating economic reality for
any community.
Safety is the most
important concern for all of us. A year
ago, Town officials met with Alberta Transportation and heard that there is
recognition that a change is necessary to address safety concerns of local
residents and businesses. An Alberta
Transportation official was at the Corridor Enhancement Public Meeting October
8th to hear concerns from local residents and businesses, and that official
also met with the Corridor Enhancement Committee to review the input from those
in attendance. Town officials will be
meeting with Alberta Transportation in Edmonton in November to continue finding
a solution to this very serious safety concern for our residents.
The
"Plan" that is being talked about is to reduce 4 lanes to 3 lanes
(one lane each direction with a turning lane in the center) and move traffic
further away from the sidewalks to address the most important "pedestrian
safety" issue. In addition, we have
to have better parking options for shoppers and tourists, better "way
finding" signs, and we need to enhance the "comfort and feel"
for those walking along the sidewalk.
This is a big
job. It starts with an application to
Alberta Transportation for a "Pilot Project" that will allow us to
"check the plan" before it is made permanent. Highway 27 belongs to Alberta Transportation
- and they need time, like the Town of Sundre, to find money in Capital Plan
priorities to approve projects. The
Chamber of Commerce has been very helpful in "pushing" Alberta
Transportation for action on this issue, which really helps Town officials in
their meetings with Alberta Transportation.
We hope to have "action" by Spring of 2015. Everyone involved is very committed to
addressing safety concerns that have been brought to us. Thank you to all who have been working behind
the scenes to deal with this important community issue.
Please call me at
home at 403-638-3535 if you would like to talk further about this, or any other
issue of concern to you.
Mayor Terry Leslie
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