A deadly intersection between Rosebud and Standard now has a new four-way stop in hopes that it makes the intersection safer.
This comes after Alberta Transportation updated its review of the intersection of Highway 564 and 840, north of Standard. Before the modifications, east and west traffic at the intersection was controlled by a stop sign.
According to a press release from Wheatland County, the collision rate at this intersection is relatively low, however recently they have been very traumatic. On July 3 of last year, two occupants of an SUV were killed when it collided with a minivan. Most recently, on January 2, a male driver appears to have failed to stop at the intersection, collided with a semi and was killed.
RCMP K Division referenced this collision to highlight intersection safety.
“Drivers should use extra caution at intersections, avoiding behaviours that lead to collisions,” says Superintendent Gary Graham, Officer-in-Charge, Alberta RCMP Traffic Services. “This remains true for intersections across the province, even in rural settings where traffic volumes tend to be lower.”
Reeves of Wheatland County Glenn Koester said pressure to change the intersection came from people living in the area.
“I think a lot of residents got hold of their MLA, because there was a lot of communication going on,” said Koester. “What I really wanted to see there, was a traffic circle.”
Alberta transportation, in making the changes, considered that traffic volumes are consistently more than 500 vehicles per day, with the exception of one leg that sees about 320 vehicles. It also noted that almost every modification available in its operational toolbox has been exhausted.
The cost to improve the intersection and make it a roundabout would be significant, estimated in the $5- $6 million range.
The new signals at the intersection include a four-way stop, with appropriate signage as well as red flashing lights on top of the new sign. This configuration is similar to what is in place at the intersection of Highway 9 and Highway 21.
