Rocky Mountain House town council is taking steps to lobby the provincial government for the twinning of Highway 11 to actually go through the community.
During the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association (AUMA) conference in Edmonton last month, council met with Minster of Transportation, Ric McIver, Minister of Environment and Parks, Jason Nixon, and Minister of Community and Social Services, Rajan Sawhney, to discuss the improvement of Highway 11 within the town as part of the twinning project.
On Tuesday, Town administration was seeking approval to follow-up on those conversations with formal letters to the Ministers, confirming the initial announcement, and to lobby for expansion of the project to incorporate Highway 11 within the town. The recommendation was approved by council.
Officials note, it appears the initial intent and announcement was to include the twinned portion within town, but the actual project seems to exclude this portion. Minister McIver has
suggested the Town write a letter to initiate the Ministers meeting and discuss the project.
Under the Town’s Public Participation Policy, officials say this item would be considered an Activity or Direct Decision and does not require a public hearing or public consultation. If the
project does extend into the town, then it would become a consultation and collaboration decision with extensive public input.
As a result, the Town will be sending a letter to Minister Sawhney requesting that Highway 11 within Town limits be part of the Highway 11 twinning project with the
letter copied to Minister McIver and Minister Nixon. Further, that the Town ask Clearwater County if they would support the letter by either a joint letter or sending a separate letter.
Provincial officials say the project will twin Highway 11 (David Thompson Highway) between Rocky Mountain House and Sylvan Lake. The David Thompson Highway is said to lead to some of the most breathtaking scenery in Canada and is a popular route for the tourism industry. Twinning the highway is hoped to improve access for Albertans and visitors alike.
The project will be completed in four sections, which are in various stages of development.
Project A
The project will include Highway 11 twinning from the boundary of the Town of Rocky Mountain House to 1 km east of Highway 22.
Procurement for a consultant is currently underway. Preliminary design is anticipated to begin in Fall 2021. Right of way purchase, utility coordination and any required environmental studies are also anticipated to begin in 2021. Construction is tentatively planned for 2023-24.
Project B
This project will include Highway 11 twinning from Highway 22 to Township Road 390.
In 2021, CIMA+ began with a functional planning study which is expected to take approximately two years to complete.
Project C
This project will include Highway 11 twinning from 1 km West of Township Road 390 near the Hamlet of Benalto to 2 km west of Highway 781.
Design, utility coordination and any required environmental studies is anticipated to get underway in 2021. Construction is tentatively planned for 2023-24.
Project D
This project will include Highway 11 twinning from 2 km West of Highway 781 to 1 km east of Highway 20. Additional improvements will include two lane roundabout at the intersections of Highway 11 and Highway 781 (50 Street) and at Highway 11 and Range Road 15 (60 Street).
McElhanney Ltd. is currently working on the design, utility coordination and any required environmental studies. Construction is tentatively planned for 2022-23.
Provincial officials anticipate the twinning of Highway 11 between Rocky Mountain House and Sylvan Lake to positively impact many communities along the highway corridor. The David Thompson Highway is known to be popular among recreation users, industry and others exploring the west county.
Twinning the highway is expected to make travel in the region safer and more efficient while also supporting tourism, and industry supply chains.
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