Sylvan Lake residents will have an opportunity to discuss how to convince the province to add traffic lights at a contentious local intersection.
Wildrose Party MLA Kerry Towle is hosting the Aug. 21 meeting to discuss the Hwy 11 and Secondary Hwy 781 intersection.
Towle, who is MLA for the Innisfail-Sylvan Lake riding, said a petition will be available and letters on hand that residents can send to Transportation Minister Ric McIver. Many residents want to see traffic lights installed at the intersection, which was the scene of three fatal accidents last year.
However, Alberta Transportation has been reluctant to add another set of lights to Hwy 11.
Instead, the intersection was changed to a right-in, right-out configuration eliminating left turns.
Towle said the Wildrose Party supports reopening the intersection and adding lights.
Eliminating left turns at the intersection has meant the province has had to spend millions upgrading other roads and intersections in the area, she said.
Other highways in the province have multiple sets of traffic lights on them and she doesn’t see why that can’t happen at this intersection.
McIver has been invited to attend the meeting. Towle and Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre MLA Joe Anglin have also requested a meeting to discuss their concerns.
There has been no word yet from the minister’s office.
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at the Sylvan Lake Community Centre.
pcowley@www.reddeeradvocate.com