There was standing room only in the Mitford Room at the Days Inn Feb. 25, as Alberta Transportation hosted an informal discussion to help develop a 50-year transportation strategy for the province.
Cochrane was one of 18 stops on the transportation ministry’s tour of Alberta communities. Each leg of the tour spoke with residents and stakeholders about their concerns, thoughts and solutions in terms of road, rail and air transportation.
Also in attendance were a number of representatives from outlying areas, including Banff, Mountain View County, Wheatland County and Calgary.
While Mike O’Connor, a regional traffic safety consultant for the Calgary region, told the Eagle in January that specific projects would not be addressed, there was time during the meeting to hear local concerns.
Topping the list of local concerns was the intersection at Highway 22 and Highway 1A. Councillor Tara McFadden spoke up during the meeting, saying she hoped to see the junction back on the three-year construction plan.
“Not only is it important to how Cochrane functions, but also the region as a whole,” she said.
A number of other residents brought up safety concerns in regards to that particular interchange.
The speed of trucks travelling down the hill was one issue; another resident spoke to concerns for pedestrians walking along the highway.
The remainder of the consultation was addressing the proposed goals the province has set as guidelines for the transportation strategy.
The second phase of the consultation will occur during April and May through an online public consultation on the draft strategy.
More details about the long-term transportation strategy can be found at transportation.alberta.ca/ABTransStrategyhome.htm.
