Two simultaneous motor vehicle incidents that caused major congestion at the intersection at Hwy 1A and 22 last Sunday struck some concerns over the current single access in and out of Sunset Ridge, with respect to emergency services access.
Local social media sites were abuzz with questions about why the RancheHouse Road intersection has been closed; what is the town’s emergency services plan to work around the single exit point into the community (the lights at Sunset Blvd and Hwy 22); and when can residents who face the mounting congestion at the intersection at Hwy 1A and 22 anticipate further exit points out of the community.
According to the town’s senior administration, while it may be some time until additional access points for residents travelling from Sunset southbound along Hwy 22 (slated to open up with future phases of the community) emerge, emergency access plans are in place.
Sunset Ridge is the most heavily populated community in Cochrane, with a population in excess of 4,000 people. Cochrane has grown 23 per cent from 2013-2015.
“There is an emergency access off Fourth Avenue North that is currently part of any emergency access/egress scenario,” said Rick Deans, senior manager of infrastructure for the town.
“The access is currently blocked by barriers to prevent casual use, but on-call staff can move the barriers in an emergency. There is also currently a second access off Hwy 22 north of Sunset Blvd that is currently a construction-only access. In the event of an emergency this is also an option.”
Deans added that all neighbourhoods in Cochrane actually have secondary access/egress points, but that many are intended for emergency use only and are gated or closed under normal conditions.
Although the intersection is fully closed while under construction, it will be reopened as a right-in, right-out only upon completion, which is estimated by Deans to be completed in four to six weeks time (weather permitting).
Because Hwy 22 is under provincial jurisdiction, the town had to work with Alberta Transportation to negotiate a ‘happy medium’ for the right-in, right-out; the province wanted to close the intersection entirely for safety reasons.
The province also determined that traffic lights and a traffic circle were not suitable options at this location due to road grade, safety and speed of traffic concerns.
It looks like it may be some time, however, until a third access entry point, or a secondary southbound exit, at Sunset will be built.
“There are additional plans for a major road access at the north end of Sunset Ridge as part of future development plans,” explained Drew Hyndman, senior manager of development services for the town.
“As this future road is technically a third access into the community, it is not necessary for future development approvals. The timing for that road depends on proposed future development and intersection spacing onto Hwy 22, and Alberta Transportation determines this based on their highway standards.”
Hyndman said that the town is limited in how many access points they can plan onto highways, as Alberta Transportation regulates intersection locations onto these transportation corridors.
“We hold regular discussions with Alberta Transportation to determine where the best locations for future access points will be into our communities, however, the province ultimately makes the decision on where these locations are and how much distance is required between access points,” said Hyndman.
Mac de Beaudrap, senior manager of protective services for the town, acknowledged the unfortunate simultaneous timing of the two motor vehicle incidents that caused heavy traffic backups for around two hours at the 1A and 22 intersection last weekend.
“We are glad nobody was hurt or injured. The timing of the temporary road closure for construction purposes compounded the issue making the conditions more challenging.”
