A Central Alberta contingent wants to enhance transportation as part of efforts to improve regional economic development.
The Central Alberta Economic Partnership of 41 member municipalities and 13 associate member organizations will develop a regional transportation strategy that will recommend a long-term vision for a co-ordinated transportation system across the region.
Gail Parks, Red Deer city councillor and chair of the transportation committee with CAEP, said the partnership is keen to investigate how to better meet transportation needs across a wide region.
Among the areas it will investigate are pedestrian and bike trails, carpooling and new transit technologies.
“It will look at all ways for moving people,” Parks said.
According to the Strategy Institute, regional transportation planning is moving rapidly in Canada and will have profound impacts on the infrastructure, economy and vibrancy of municipalities. Rural communities face a wide and complex range of challenges that both affect and are affected by the transportation system.
“Regional connections are critical for bridging disconnects between where people live and where they work and play,” says a CAEP report.
The partnership has set aside $75,000 for the strategy and is seeking an additional $75,000 through the Alberta Municipal Affairs Regional Partnership Initiative.