The community is invited to attend a public meeting hosted by Alberta Transportation (AT) on the future of Highway 27 through downtown Sundre. The roadway is completely owned and operated by AT. If you are a resident, business owner, or stakeholder who is interested in the road's future design, you should attend. AT will be hosting the meeting this Thursday, Feb. 4 starting at 6 p.m. at the Sundre Legion, which is located on 6th Street SE.
Highway 27 is an essential component of Sundre's economy. The stretch slated for redesign runs from Centre Street to Fourth Street. This area is of particular importance due to the combination of its use as a high-load corridor for the trucking industry and the density of small businesses located along the route. However, the proximity of trucks to the sidewalks presents serious safety concerns for pedestrians. Not to mention that the area could be improved to look better and to add to the quality of the downtown neighbourhood.
This project initially started following the creation of a corridor enhancement and revitalization plan in 2013 to specifically address the look, feel and function of the highway corridor. Many readers are aware that the existing four-lane design, which was put in place by AT in 2008 to address traffic congestion issues, ended up adversely affecting local businesses and the town's character.
As a result of these issues, the corridor enhancement plan was developed, which led to the creation of the Downtown Area Revitalization Committee (DARC). Using the plan as a guide, the committee advocated to AT for a redesign of Highway 27 in order to address pedestrian safety.
In 2014, Town of Sundre officials worked on a concept for an alternate road design to have implemented as a pilot project following public consultations. However, as the town does not own or regulate the use of the highway, AT has now initiated its own project and dedicated three professional engineers to the task of conducting a redesign of the roadway through a public consultation process.
Alberta Transportation's engineers have worked very hard to design a number of unique options, which the public is invited to provide input on. They have even produced a fantastic computer-generated animation that meticulously recreates the roadway under one of the proposed options, including all storefronts from Fourth Street to Centre Street, which you will have the chance to see.
It is important to remember that if any of the options get implemented, it would only be as a pilot project for perhaps one year. If after one year the new design is deemed to function well, AT could exercise its right to make it permanent.
So come out on Thursday evening to see the options being presented for yourself and learn what might be possible. Seeing Sundre's possible future with a computer-generated animation will surely be interesting. Please note that no option being presented at the meeting involves a second bridge or ring road for trucks.
Reconceptualizing and transforming the look, feel and function of Highway 27 through Sundre will be one of the most important projects undertaken in the next couple of years. It will address traffic, pedestrian safety and business vitality, and will affect you directly.
So whether you support change or desire the status quo, it is important you attend and have your voice heard in this democratic process.
