Emergency access available to Saamis Heights residents when road closure calls for use. Jayk Sterkenburg/CHAT News

By Jayk Sterkenburg

IN THE CITY

Medicine Hat advises residents on how to use Saamis Heights emergency access

Apr 7, 2025 | 1:54 PM

The City of Medicine Hat is advising residents on how to use a special use access in the Saamis Heights neighbourhood if circumstances require its activation.

The special access is located where a multi-use trail meets Southridge Drive Southeast at the south perimeter of the neighbourhood.

It will only be opened during extended restrictions of the primary entrance road, Sierra Boulevard Southwest — as determined by emergency responders.

Municipal Works transportation planning engineer John Ashton said with the access, the City hopes to provide an avenue for people to not have to cut across lots or parks.

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“When it is initiated, when we do get the call from Fire Services, Municipal Works- whether it’s during hours or after hours, we’ll have staff come out,” he said.

“[We’ll] remove bollards and set up wayfinding signs for the residents so they can come to get to this point,” he added.

“We won’t just expect residents to get here without a wayfinding sign.”

John Ashton. Ross Lavigne/CHAT News

The access will accommodate two-way traffic between Southridge Drive Southeast and the Saamis Heights community.

It will only be opened for select circumstances including motor vehicle collisions, fire or emergency response, public safety incidents, or short-duration construction activities.

Special use access will open if Sierra Boulevard Southwest closes due to various circumstances. Courtesy/City of Medicine Hat

Once activated, measures will be used to assist residents with navigating the access, including directional signage.

The route will be cleared of obstructions before public use, and traffic control may be in place to ensure safe access.

Medicine Hat Fire and Emergency Services deputy chief Douglas Gill said it’s not typically preferred to limit access to subdivisions, but some factors require blocking it off.

“Certainly for firefighter safety. For incident stabilization,” he said.

Deputy Chief Douglas Gill. Ross Lavigne/CHAT News

“Depending on the scale and size of the incident, with cooperation of the police, we’ll close off what we need to, to make sure that our hot zone stays safe for our responders and any victims,” he added.

“Once we can get that stabilized and cleaned up as quick as possible, it’ll open up the access.”

Gill said directions prepared by Municipal Works will create free flowing traffic to access the emergency route, as long as everyone follows the signage.