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Intersection mess at Sylvan continues to defy logic

The countless and continuing changes over the past 22 months at the Sylvan Lake-area intersections of Hwys 781/11 and Hwys 11/ 20 seem to indicate that maybe Alberta Transportation and the “experts” (Castleglenn Consulting of Calgary) are not so expert.

The countless and continuing changes over the past 22 months at the Sylvan Lake-area intersections of Hwys 781/11 and Hwys 11/ 20 seem to indicate that maybe Alberta Transportation and the “experts” (Castleglenn Consulting of Calgary) are not so expert.

The endless and massive amount of cash being thrown at these two intersections could be better spent on Hwy 63, where people die regularly.

Currently at the Hwy 781/11 intersection, all that the public has is two very poorly marked curbs running down the centre of the highway. The majority of the time the signs are laying flat because they have been run over.

The public has also lost the turning lane on Hwy 11 when turning south on to Hwy 781. This brings all eastbound traffic nearly to a screeching halt to allow traffic to turn south.

This intersection is currently overgrown with nearly four-feet-high weeds, obstructing drivers’ sight line.

We continue to have restricted and unsafe access for emergency response crews required south on the Hwy 781 corridor for emergencies.

All of this has been done to avoid installing one set of traffic control lights at 781/11. How many light standards are currently at the Hwy 11/ 20 intersection? How much taxpayer money has been spent there? (Wait for the icy mess this winter, as the east ditch drains west across the intersection.)

When will common sense prevail?

PS: GPS units are continually sending tourists with trailers north/south through the intersection. Also, there is still no signage on 50th Street in Sylvan Lake directing tourists on how to get to Innisfail and Calgary. Elections are coming soon.

Ken Somerville

Red Deer County