COCHRANE— Speaking to Cochrane’s traffic problem woes, Mayor Jeff Genung hosted an online update on the Town’s future traffic plans.
The event was live-streamed on Facebook Thursday (Nov. 5) with hosts Genung and former CTV and CBC reporter Carla Minogue. The live stream included the opportunity for residents to ask the mayor questions about traffic infrastructure in Cochrane.
Genung began the presentation reiterating the new project plans for the section of Highway 1A running through Cochrane.
“It’s not like the Town of Cochrane has been doing nothing. We have not been sitting idle and waiting for something to happen,” Genung said. “There’s been a lot of work that has been undertaken over the past couple of years— Traffic solutions are not quick, they’re not easy and they’re not cheap.”
The Town of Cochrane will begin work in the spring of 2021 using $3.5 million in provincial grant funding that will go towards $12.9 million in roadway upgrades. The remaining cost of the project will be paid for using debt, Genung said, which in turn will be paid back through off-site levies generated by future developments. About $1.8 million will be paid for by taxes. First reading was given to a new borrowing bylaw was approved by council at Monday's (Nov. 9) regular meeting. If approved the bylaw will grant access to loans needed for the project.
The project is designed to help alleviate congestion on Cochrane Hill and from the Highway 1A and Highway 22 intersection.
“With this project, we are controlling our own destiny," Genung said. “While we are waiting for the province to come to the table and kick off their project on the 1A-22, we are going to get to work on the 1A through Cochrane.”
The construction is expected to take one year to complete.
Upgrades to Highway 1A include two westbound and two eastbound lanes from the bottom of the hill to the west of Sixth Avenue, medians to divide traffic and define turning lanes between the bottom of the hill and west of Sixth Avenue, two dedicated left-turn lanes from westbound Highway 1A onto southbound Centre Avenue, dedicated left-turn lanes from westbound Highway 1A to Third Avenue and Fifth Avenue, a dedicated right-turn lane from Centre Avenue to Highway 1A, new access to Third Street business using Centre Avenue north of Highway 1A, realignment of Fourth and Fifth Avenue and new access and turning lanes for Sixth Avenue west businesses.
The cost of realigning Fourth Avenue to Fifth Avenue will cost $3.1 million
“We want people to be able to move through freely, but we also want to invite people into the downtown, utilize businesses and be welcome and open for business,” Genung said. “We have to have something that fits the community.”
In 2022 additional enhancements will take place on Highway 1A for $885,000 with an additional $275,000 in additional construction and engineering costs.
In 2023 the second phase of construction on Centre Avenue from Highway 1A to Railway Street will take place. There are also plans to complete the James Walker Trail connection that will be paid for using off-site levies.
Cochrane has “experienced extreme growth,” Genung said, noting the Town has been waiting for more than 40 years for the province to aid in highway upgrades. He added the current council and administration have not approved any new developments in their current term in an effort to help moderate Cochrane's population growth.
It is an exciting moment for Cochrane, Genung said, because the Town's decision to move forward on highway upgrades marks a significant shift by crafting a unique traffic plan that meets the needs of the community.
Genung cautioned that each infrastructure project is a “piece of the puzzle” when it comes to fixing the Town’s traffic congestion.
“It’s a big puzzle, it’s not an easy solution."
Genung said traffic remains the number one priority for the Town, along with the need for seniors housing, parks and recreation and demands at all levels for all service. He noted a careful balance of spending is needed to ensure the needs of the community are being met.
In Cochrane a long-standing philosophy has been growth will pay for growth, Genung said, but the community has reached a tipping point on when it is a good time to begin work on infrastructure projects.
“These Highway 1A upgrades pave the way for the connection to the Provincial Highway 1A-22 infrastructure project,” Genung said. “We have been caught in the eddy of waiting for the province, like I say for 40 years, and we are now taking some action.”
The need for infrastructure work on the Highway 1A and Highway 22 intersection is top of mind for council, he said, adding that for many years the Town has been advocating the province for improvements.
“It is two major provincial roadways running right down the middle of our community," Genung said, adding he has spoken with Minister of Transportation Ric McIver many times to push the project.
The Town has shared traffic counts with the province, demonstrated the highways are well over the intended capacities, shared residents' frustrations and shared concerns for public safety.
No specific date for the project has been announced, but, Genung said he is confident the province will deliver on the intersection upgrades.
“They have heard us,” Genung said. “There’s still work to be done we are not letting up with the province until we shovel in the grounds from them.”
