A new report outlining safety concerns on O’Chiese Road has identified numerous hazards, including poor visibility, dust, and an elevated crash rate. However, Clearwater County officials say the report is outdated and does not reflect recent improvements to the road.
Commissioned by WSP Canada Inc., the report states that TWP Road 42-5A (O’Chiese Road) is prone to dust in dry weather, mud in wet conditions, steep ditches, and surface degradation that poses a hazard to vehicles and emergency responders. It also notes a higher-than-average crash history compared to other rural roads.
Between Aug. 13, 2024, and Aug. 13, 2025, 10 collisions were reported on the road, including three that resulted in injuries. No fatalities were recorded. The report suggests the actual number of collisions may be higher, as rural roads tend to see lower rates of collision reporting.
Visibility issues in dry conditions were linked to rear-end collisions involving heavy vehicles turning off the road, while deep ruts in wet weather—measuring between 10 and 30 centimetres—were found to reduce vehicle traction and increase the risk of losing control.
Muddy conditions observed on O’Chiese Rd, summer 2025. (WSP Canada Inc.)
The report also found the poor road conditions have impacted emergency response for residents of O’Chiese First Nation. Damage to emergency vehicles was cited as a barrier to timely service.
Calculations within the report show that the collision rate on O’Chiese Road is more than five times the provincial average. It suggests residents who rely on the road face disproportionate risks due to geographical location.
An elevated risk of vehicle rollover was also identified. According to the Transportation Association of Canada’s 2017 guidelines, banks steeper than a 1:3 slope are more likely to result in rollovers or overturns. The report found such conditions present along the route.
Steep bank with slope appears to be greater than 1:3 on Thursday Aug. 7 2025. (WSP Canada Inc.)
Despite the findings, Clearwater County’s chief administrative officer says the report does not reflect the road’s current condition.
“This report was done in a silo. Clearwater County was never contacted, nor involved in it,” said CAO Rick Emmons.
He acknowledged that the report does mention the county’s improvement plans, but said it was completed before upgrades were underway.
“The condition of the road has changed since this report,” he said.
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Since the report was published, a large water hole referenced in the document has been drained, and soft spots along the road have been addressed, Emmons said.
The county also completed a $500,000 gravel overlay project. However, Emmons noted that excessively dry weather in late summer led to washboard conditions on some stretches of the road.
Coun. Genny Mehlhaff expressed support for continued upgrades and said she hopes future councils will keep base paving of O’Chiese Road a priority during budget deliberations.
A potential start date for base paving has been estimated for 2027, pending budget approval.
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