Highway options

By Melissa Crispin-Piche Times Contributor

An intersection northwest of Strathmore at Highway 9 and Highway 564 is being considered as part of a broader regional transportation plan according to Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors Minister Devin Dreeshen.

During a media round table Aug. 10, Dreeshen said the province is looking at several intersections east of Calgary as traffic volumes continue to grow.

“When I mentioned the 400,000 new drivers in Alberta, the vast majority of that is in that Calgary area,” Dreeshen said. “And we’re seeing a lot more people that have just moved into those areas and are obviously commuting on a daily basis.”

The Highway 9 and 564 intersection has been the focus of renewed safety concerns following a fatal May 10 collision that killed two Calgary women and sent three others to hospital including a child. A second collision involving a semi and an SUV occurred at the same intersection later that month.

Dreeshen said the province is considering a range of options.

“So, whether it’s roundabouts, improve intersections with lights or just widening in those areas, that is something that, as a region, we’re looking at trying to get money in next year’s budget to actually see some construction dollars in that area.” he said.

The minister described the issue as extending beyond one intersection pointing to traffic coming into Calgary from the east on Highway 9, Highway 564, the Trans-Canada Highway and Glenmore Trail.

“We do have other projects in that east of Calgary area that we’re trying to get across the finish line,” Dreeshen said, adding the goal is to move projects beyond the design and engineering stage and into construction.

For residents who have long called for changes at Highway 9 and 564, the comments offer a potential indication that construction funding could be considered in the province’s next budget.