New additions to Edgefield development

Sharon McLeay
Times Contributor

 

A school, pathways and a lighted intersection for the Edgefield development were under discussion in the Town of Strathmore council meeting on Sept. 16, with W. Brett Wilson making an appearance for clarification on how plans might affect his adjacent development of Prairie Strathmore.
“We have been an active supporter as the town, the administration and certainly the school district. We are fully supportive of the putting the school here” said Wilson. “We have been challenged in conversations with the administration in understanding of the TIA (traffic intersection assessment) and what impact on the joint road.”
The study pointed out that during peak hours in the late afternoon and evening there would be a need for the lighted intersection and construction would need to develop a way to alleviate the northbound congestion on the road. There was some consideration to a possible round about or turning lanes to solve the possible traffic delay. Council advised administration to work with Wilson’s team and provide them the documentation that they needed to help with their planning on this issue. A full traffic signal light system will cost $300,000, but council voted to support a suggestion that an interim portable, solar operated pedestrian crossing light system be purchased for $30,000 and utilized at the intersection until traffic flow warranted a more complex permanent fixture .
The school site is set for the north side of the development in Phase 2 of the development along with an additional 70 residential lots. The intersection would connect to Parklane Drive, across George Freeman Trail and between the two developments onto Edgefield Gate. Construction of paved walkways is planned for the east side of George Freeman Trail, starting in the Ranch area and extending up to Brent Blvd and making connections with existing walking trails. Council closed the public hearings and passed second and third readings to the Area Structure Plan amendments to accommodate the changes in Phase 2 of the Edgefield development and begin the first phase of walkway development along George Freeman Trail in the Ranch area.