Concerns raised by Division Five Councillor Neil Woitas and council during their recent roads tour of Lamont County will see public works reach out to Alberta Transportation to attempt to improve the intersection at Range Road 202 and Hwy. 45.
The County would like to fill the ditch at the corner because of the safety concerns it poses.
Public Work director Darby Dietz said the issue was as Range Road 202 approached Highway 45 from the south because it turned sharply to join the highway.
This has led to some drivers missing the curve and going off the road into the ditch.
Woitas told council he had happened upon one accident at the corner, near where he lives, where a vehicle had gone off the curve at high speed and absolutely crushed the cab of the truck.
“I expected to find a dead body,” said Woitas. “But the driver had managed to get to the wheel well before it impacted, saving his life.” to occur.
Dietz suggested they work with Alberta Transportation to raise the level of the northeast ditch.
He pointed out neither a guard rail or jersey barrier would be beneficial, in fact, they could cause more damage if an accident were
He said an in-house survey would be undertaken and costs to the county would be minimal.
He said the County had some material on hand which was not suitable for road use, but would adequately serve to bring up the level of the ditch.
He added some grading would have to occur but that could be done by County staff.
Woitas said levelling the grade would drastically improve the intersection.
“In the winter drivers can slide down there,” he added. “We have about four to five accidents a year at that corner.”
“We have to do something,” he said.
Dietz said filling it in would not impact drainage and it would lessen the ramping effect of drivers leaving the road.
Dietz said he wasn’t sure Alberta Transportation would agree to fixing the road, but the County would have to ask.
Council directed administration to seek approval to raise the grade of the road from Alberta Transportation and it was passed by council.
Dietz said once approval was received the County would go ahead with filling in the ditch.
JOHN MATHER
