The plan for the pilot project on Main Avenue is coming together as Alberta Transportation representatives meet with stakeholders.
The Sundre and District Chamber of Commerce discussed the project's progress during a meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 9 at the Sundre Community Centre, said Mike Beukeboom, chamber president.
The first presentation, which was by invitation only, was held Thursday, Dec. 10 at the Sundre Activity Centre. That presentation was for local businesses or property owners along Main Avenue between the bridges.
"This is our opportunity to find out what the plan is to address safety on Main Avenue," wrote Beukeboom in an email to local business and property owners.
"Once we fix the safety issue, economic growth can truly occur in our downtown core."
Everyone Beukeboom's spoken with over more than a year has expressed concerns over the issue of safety on Main Avenue.
"Our time has come to make a difference. Alberta Transportation is sending their engineers and senior staff. They can answer all of our questions and they need our input moving forward."
The next meeting takes place on Tuesday, Jan. 12 for industry stakeholders like forestry, oil and gas, agriculture, as well as transportation and trucking in general. A public consultation is then scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 4 at the Sundre Legion, starting at 6 p.m.
The presentation will include a computer-generated animation of what one of the concepts being proposed by the province would look like if implemented as a final product, said Jonathan Allan, economic development officer. That's a promising sign the province might be willing to go further and help fund the project down the line, he said.
"That's exciting," said Beukeboom about the public consultation.
"That'll give everyone an opportunity to come and see the presentation first hand and get some information on what's being proposed."
What's particularly exciting for him and the chamber is that Alberta Transportation engineers are working on the project, he said.
"They are absolutely leading this project and we are excited about that. It's our opportunity as a community to meet with them and help guide their hand."
The public session will allow the opportunity for people to provide feedback on the community's needs and to share concerns about safety on the main corridor, he said.
"The big thing is we've got the right people at the table and the right people are proposing the project."
The chamber president said he is also pleased with how quickly the process is moving forward. Although it feels as though it took a while to get this far ó efforts have been underway for more than a year ó the simple fact is when looking at the big picture, a project of this scope doesn't happen quickly. The chamber has provided information to town and provincial officials, who are now collaborating to move the pilot project forward, he said.
"I really believe they're working hard to move the next steps."
