Province surveys residents on Morrin Corner and Highway 9 and 21 intersections.
The scene of an accident July of this year at Morrin Corner. In the foreground is a memorial to three children and an adult who died at the intersection in 2007. Alberta Transportation is proposing to make the intersection a four-way stop.
Alberta Transportation is looking for feedback on changes it can make to area intersections to make them safer and efficient.
The department has devised two surveys asking for feedback on the intersections of Highway 9, 27, and 56, commonly known as Morrin Corner, and the intersection of Highway 9 and 21.
Both intersections have been in the news recently.
July 5 of this year, six people received medical treatment and two STARS Air Ambulances were dispatched to a collision at Morrin Corner.
Just 10 days later, a young highway maintenance contractor from Three Hills was killed at the intersection of Highway 9 and Highway 21.
Russ Watts, infrastructure manager for Alberta Transportation, says they want to learn the opinions of residents and stakeholders on whether the intersections should be changed to four way stops.
“We want to get an unbiased look from people,” said Watts. “We want to get a sense for what people actually think.”
Starland CAO Ross Rawlusyk says the county’s website has a link to the survey regarding Morrin Corner.
“The county received a letter from Alberta Transportation advising they were going to make some immediate modifications to Morrin Corner,” said Rawlusyk, noting they would be moving the stop signs to the centre of the lanes, improving the markings and deepening the rumble strips.
‘They (Alberta Transportation) asked Council their opinion and our guys discussed it and they actually passed a motion to support changing to a four-way stop,” said Rawlusyk. “We have taken the position that it could be a good thing and maybe save a life.”
Alberta Transportation is hoping to hear from residents as well on what they think could be done to make this intersection safer.
Watts say Wheatland, Kneehill and Starland Counties are being active in getting the survey out to interested parties.
Along with the survey, there are information pages to learn more about what steps are being taken.
“We are looking at if we want to take them (these changes) further,” sad Watts.
