Some drivers heading east or westbound on Highway 27 have likely experienced a little confusion when approaching the roadway's intersection with Highway 2A in the last few months.
But the Town of Olds is hoping recent adjustments to traffic signals at the intersection will clear up some of the confusion.
Earlier this year, Alberta Transportation carried out a number of changes at the intersection where they altered directional signage on the traffic light standards for east and westbound traffic.
The town, however, was unhappy with the changes and worked with the province to introduce new traffic patterns at the interchange.
The new patterns now include dedicated left-hand turning lanes with a left-turn arrow light on Highway 27 at the intersection.
In the past, drivers had the choice of turning left or going straight in the east and westbound left-hand lanes.
Drivers in these lanes must now turn left, while drivers in the right-hand lanes can go straight or turn right.
For north and southbound traffic, drivers can still turn left or go straight in the left-hand lane while continuing straight or turning right in the right-hand lanes.
While the proper signage and lights are now in place for east and westbound traffic, Norm McInnis, the town's chief administrative officer, said he hopes Alberta Transportation will paint improved road markings on the highway indicating the dedicated turn lanes for east and westbound traffic as some motorists are still driving straight through the intersection even if they are in the left-hand lanes.
Larry Wright, the town's former operational services director and current
strategy and technology officer, said he'd still like to see the intersection changed further so that there are dedicated right-turn lanes for northbound traffic on Highway 2A turning east, eastbound traffic on Highway 27 turning north and southbound traffic on Highway 2A turning west.
A proposed plan for the intersection does include such turning lanes as well as alterations to the eastbound lanes of Highway 27 east of the intersection.
