So many of us in Cochrane wonder when something will finally be done to address congestion and unsafe conditions that exist on Highway 22 and Highway 1A.
Both highways are the jurisdiction of the provincial government and it seems the province has been dragging its feet in making improvements to these two major connectors. Agreed upon project start dates are made and then not kept – even though the province itself has identified Cochrane’s highways as a problem.
The town’s effort to lobby the province to get action for these highways goes back to 1995. Back then, council met with Alberta Transportation to outline our road safety concerns and request that the twinning of Highway 1A and a new intersection for Highway 1A/22 be moved up the province’s ‘to do’ list.
The town came away from that meeting with an indication from Alberta Transportation that work would be completed by 2005. But delays arose and the work was not carried out. Two years later, Alberta Transportation told us the work would be done in 2017. You can see what is going on here. The province opted out of its first deadline and then delayed the project by 10 years.
The town council in place in 2007 was disappointed with the delay and started a political lobby campaign. We pulled in support from councils of neighbouring communities and the MP for Wild Rose. This re-doubled effort prompted the province to revise it project timelines and move forward the project completion date to 2012. Things continued to look promising in 2011 when the province delivered to us project blue prints and set a date for when shovels would break ground.
That deadline came and went. After the last leadership race the new government cancelled most new highway projects in the province to defer money to the twinning of Highway 63 (Fort McMurray highway).
Cochrane is once again waiting to hear when work will commence on our highway projects.
Aside from highway safety concerns caused by these delays, there is another aspect that shouldn’t be overlooked. These delays also impact the movement of traffic inside the very heart of Cochrane.
The town plans and allocates funds to the construction of internal road systems in part, based on information it receives from Alberta Transportation about changes the province is planning to make to these two major highways.
New local roads such as Center Avenue, James Walker Trail and Sunset Boulevard are designed to work in conjunction with traffic patterns that will arise from the twinning of the 1A and 22. When the work doesn’t take place, the impact is felt in our community.
There will be a new leader in place and we need the newly elected government to recommit to Cochrane. With a provincial election just around the corner, there is an opportunity for you to help put Cochrane’s concerns on the radar of elected officials.
There are two important meetings coming up this fall where the highways in Cochrane will be top of the agenda. Our mayor and members of senior staff will be meeting with directors from Alberta Transportation in September. Your council will be meeting with Banff-Cochrane MLA Ron Casey in October.
You can help by lending your voice to people in your circle of influence. When provincial election candidates come to town be sure to use the opportunity to raise your concern over the state of our highways. Cochrane needs the 1A and 22 highway projects now!
