Intersection to receive upgrades

Miriam Ostermann
Times Associate Editor

 

Town council is moving ahead with a traffic signal installation, shortly after a right-in-right-out lane was constructed at an intersection earlier this year making the roadway more active and well attended.
Since the construction of the lane at Canal Avenue and Highway 1, which closed at the median on Highway 1 at the Strathmore Motor Products, expectations of vehicles making eastbound left turns from the busy roadway, and southbound left turns from Westmount Road, are on the rise.
With a possible solution, council was asked to consider proceeding with the construction of the traffic signal at Westmount Road and Highway 1 as well as a flashing indicator for eastbound traffic, despite the developers to the south of the highway unwilling to contribute to the project.
With a price tag of $501,000, a proposal was made to Alberta Transportation for cost sharing of one-third of the project. Because the development to the south was deemed as being a significant beneficiary of the traffic signal, it was originally intended for the developers to also contribute one-third of the portion. Despite the setback, the town is within their budget to consume two-thirds of the costs.
“The initial consideration that we had was that we would also get a third cost funding from developers,” said Gord Elenko, director of engineering for the Town of Strathmore. “The project was included into the 2015 capital program. At this time two-thirds of the project costs will be paid by the town and that does fall within our existing budget.”
The town contracted Allnorth Engineering to design, manage, and tender the traffic signals project. Alberta Transportation has also committed to an amount not to exceed $167,000. While tender amounts varied from just over $266,000 to more than $385,000, council decided to award the project to Black and McDonald Ltd., the lowest bidder.
“I think this is overdue,” said Councillor Denise Peterson. “This is something that’s going to save lives and it’s a great idea. I’m really glad that we’re moving forward with it.”
Council was also made aware that the Municipal Government Act prevents those projects situated on provincial highways to be included in off-site levies. Therefore, this particular project is not included in the proposed 2015 off-site levies.
While the project was met with approval by council, Councillor Bob Sobol is relieved changes are finally taking place at that section of roadway.
“It’s an intersection that scares me,” said Sobol. “Anytime I go through there, I would rather go elsewhere than go through that intersection. So I think it’s a great idea, and I’m glad that we apparently saved some money with the tender. It doesn’t feel like we saved money, but we did.”
According to administration, the developers are required to complete a Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA) as a condition of development approval by Alberta Transportation.
The expected completion date is scheduled before Oct. 31.