Residents of Cochrane and the surrounding area will have a chance to voice their transportation concerns and ideas when representatives from Alberta Transportation visit the town for a discussion-style meeting.
The meeting is an effort to gather information for a long-term transportation strategy for the province.
This strategy will provide an overarching direction to help the provincial government make decisions regarding transportation investments, policies and programs.
The consultation is set to run from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Feb. 25 at the Days Inn.
“We’re hoping to project a strategy for the next 50 years,” said Mike O’Connor, a regional traffic safety consultant for the Calgary region. “We’re looking for input from the public, as that’s who will be affected by future transportation developments.”
Cochrane is one stop on a 18-community tour for the consultation process. Points brought up during these discussions will be reviewed and compiled in a draft strategy.
“We’re hoping to get lots of participation, there are many people with good ideas,” said O’Connor. “Ideas can be about a variety of topics, from traffic safety, to new roads, to design features.”
O’Connor said the purpose of the consultation is not to address specific projects, but added that they would be prepared to address the twinning of Highway 1A and its intersection with Highway 22 during the discussion.
The strategy is intended to identify goals and an action plan to achieve them.
The second phase of the consultation process will include an online survey for the public and an online workbook designed specifically for stakeholders.
The government aims to finalize the Transportation Strategy for Alberta late this year.
