Resident reminds motorists to slow down during Dunmore traffic light installation

Crews were setting up the construction site Monday morning.

There have been several crashes and near misses at the location over the years.

Dunmore resident Keith Horsburgh appreciates the county and the province continuing to address speed and safety concerns on the highway and the troublesome intersection. And adds when the lights are all said and done, they will be a good thing for traffic and safety of the community.

But he says as it stands now, the county hasn’t supplied residents with a detour plan and feels more information should be provided.

A portable electronic speed sign halfway down Eagle Butte Avenue has been installed.

According to Cypress County, there are no plans for a detour right now.

Horsburgh worries traffic will re-route and speed through town during construction; causing safety concerns for pedestrians and the community.

“Initially when we had an accident here before the speed reduction, then drivers get annoyed and they detour down the Eagle Butte Avenue or down Township Rd 120 and it got really ridiculous and crazy with young children and people on the avenues so that was one of our main concerns with that. Again we’re for this whole intersection, it was myself and the Dunmore Association that promoted to initially have the speed reduced.”

Before the speed limit on Highway 1 in Dunmore was reduced to 80 km/hr, there had been four deaths in one year.

Since then, Horsburgh says there have been accidents, but no deaths.

And adds there are additional safety concerns for the avenues in the surrounding area and lack of extension lanes.

“Maple Creek and Swift Current are really good prime examples. You can get on and off of that highway, get into that long extension lane, accelerate to the speed and go from there,” adding that he has also spoken with Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA Drew Barnes on the issues.

As a concerned resident, Horsburgh reminds motorists to slow down with school starting, a busy gas station/cardlock, grain trucks, riding arena, development in Eagle Ridge, and children playing in the area.

“When people complain that they’re putting lights in, well we have four sets of lights going through Redcliff alone and three sets of lights going through Strathmore. It is what it is, safety first,” he added.

The total cost of the project is $1.2 million with the county providing $800,000 and Alberta Transportation the rest.

The construction is expected to be finished by the end of October

“Take your time, have patience, and be careful on the roads,” Horsburgh said.

by Chantal Wagner

Resident reminds motorists to slow down during Dunmore traffic light installation

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