OLDS — Larry Wright, Olds’ strategy and transportation officer, is anxious to see long-planned improvements to the intersection of Highway 27 and 2A proceed as soon as possible. That includes revamping the Highway 27 overpass.
Wright says that’s because transportation is key to economic growth in the town.
During a presentation to council on March 1, he said over the years, the town has received enquiries about the community from people in a wide variety of countries including the UK, Europe, US, Japan, and China.
Wright said improvements to the Highway 27 and 2A intersection are factored in both the town’s MDP (Municipal Development Plan) and the IDP (Intermunicipal Development Plan with Mountain View County).
He said a long term plan for those improvements was developed around the time that improvements were made to the infrastructure of Olds College.
“If we’re to be successful with the IDP/MDP plans and the area adjacent to 2A, we very, very much need to get the rest of the improvements on the table for Highway 27 and 2A and I know our tech services and operations have that in their vision,” Wright said
As for redesign of the overpass, he said, "we can't see that soon enough" and he plans to advance proposals to make it safer, especially given the number of big transport trucks that use it.
Rail transportation is another key factor in future economic growth in Olds, he said.
He said there are some “really large proposals out there” where rail transportation could play a big role.
“Rail becomes more and more and more a requirement to move goods and services, particularly to tidewater,” he said.
He cited yellow peas as one example of crops that could benefit from that.
Another factor inhibiting potential growth is the need for more wastewater treatment lift stations to be constructed to serve the east side of Olds as well as the southeast industrial park and surrounding area, he said.
He said that need is accounted for in the MDP and IDP.
“It’s not going to go away easily and it’s not low cost, by any stretch of the imagination,” he said.
Wright also said there’s a need for more residential housing in Olds in all categories. He said that’s proven by strong house sales that have occurred not only in Olds but also Bowden, Sundre, Didsbury, Innisfail and Three Hills since November.
