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Province will study Dunbow intersection

The Province has agreed to take a closer look at a busy intersection on the north end of the MD of Foothills, which has been the site of a fatal collision and several collisions.
MD of Foothills Reeve Larry Spilak inspects the intersection of Dunbow Road and Highway 2, which will be studied by the Province to determine if it is safe.
MD of Foothills Reeve Larry Spilak inspects the intersection of Dunbow Road and Highway 2, which will be studied by the Province to determine if it is safe.

The Province has agreed to take a closer look at a busy intersection on the north end of the MD of Foothills, which has been the site of a fatal collision and several collisions.

Transportation Minister Ric McIver sent a letter to the MD at the end of July to say his department would grant their request and do a safety and traffic assessment of the intersection of Highway 2A and Dunbow Road.

McIver said the study will look at things like how many vehicles use the intersection, how many of those are trucks or heavy vehicles and how many accidents there have occurred at the spot. All of the information will be put together under a point system. He said they will also consider the safety of putting lights on the highway, particularly one with a 110-kilometre speed limit, like Highway 2A.

“Putting a light on a highway with a 110 kilometre speed limit is something we try to avoid,” McIver said. “A zero to 110 kilometre stop is fairly severe.”

The intersection is mainly used by Heritage Pointe residents, a community with more than 400 homes, and rural residents living along Dunbow Road. It can also be used to access two golf courses in the area. Foothills MD Reeve Larry Spilak, who is also the councillor for the area, said the uncontrolled intersection can get backed up, particularly during rush hour.

“We see what happens there,” Spilak said of the intersection. “Twice a day for about two hours that is where the traffic backs up.”

There was a fatal crash at the intersection in November 2011. One woman was killed when her vehicle was struck by a truck.

He said the MD should have asked the Province to consider modifying the intersection earlier.

Lights aren’t the best solution for the intersection, Spilak said, adding he believes an overpass is needed.

“Based on what I see on a day-to-day basis I think it needs an overpass,” Spilak said, adding he’s been lobbying the Province for five years for an overpass at Dunbow Road and Highway 2A.

Lights are expected to cost around $500,000 and an overpass would cost between $30 million and $40 million, Spilak said.

However, he said if the Province’s study shows the road-use in the area still doesn’t warrant controls, the MD’s hands are tied.

“If Alberta Transportation states it’s basically safe then yes I’ll abide by the codes,” he said.

Speeds at the intersection won’t be a concern if lights are erected, Spilak said, because when a light is put in at the next intersection to the north at 210 Avenue the speed will be reduced to 80-kilometres past Dunbow Road.

Alberta Transportation spokesperson Parker Hogan said the study will be completed later this year. If the findings show some kind of improvement is needed, Hogan said they will be talking to the municipality and developers about cost sharing the project.

“We will have to have conversations with the municipality and the developer,” Hogan said. “If there is participation it could be done sooner rather than later.”

The project would also be put on the Province’s three-year plan, which prioritizes capital projects.

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