Municipal election candidate and current Olds town councillor Mary Jane Harper says a recent collision at Highway 27 and 57th Avenue underlines the need for upgraded traffic controls at that intersection.
A two-vehicle collision occurred at that intersection on Labour Day. RCMP allege that a westbound Montana driver ran a red light.
The accused fled on foot down 57th Avenue, taking off his clothes as he ran.
Both drivers were taken to hospital.
Charges are pending.
Harper says over the years, the town has sent letters to Alberta Transportation warning that the intersection needs advance green lights to make it safer.
She says those lights have been installed at the intersection of Highway 27 and 2A and they've made that intersection safer.
However, Alberta Transportation says traffic counts don't currently warrant that expense, recently estimated to be more than $90,000. Harper notes a traffic count was undertaken there this summer.
Alberta Transportation has suggested the town could foot the bill for installation of that light and the department would maintain it, but Harper says that's just too expensive for the local community.
"We, the Town of Olds, are saying, ëbut it's your highway. We're pointing out to you the dangers, the recognized need,' and in the past, they have said, ëthe stats don't (warrant) it,'" Harper says.
"For the province it's not a lot of money. But for the Town of Olds, it's a lot of money. And it's their responsibility," she adds.
"Should we use (local) taxpayers' money to pay for a fix that is not our responsibility to fix? So that's the tug of war going on right now. Hopefully we can lobby some more to get a fix for that."
Harper says one tool that might bring more pressure to bear on the department would be to take pictures when collisions occur at Highway 27 and 57th Avenue and send those photos to Alberta Transportation.
"A picture says a thousand words. And what we want to do is provide pictures of these serious accidents and show them this is serious," she says.
Alberta Transportation public affairs officer Anna Neale confirms the province and town have been discussing the intersection.
"Safety is a top priority for the government of Alberta," Neale says. "We've received requests from the Town of Olds to put a left-turn light at the intersection at Highway 27 and 57th Avenue."
"At this time, traffic counts at this intersection do not warrant a left-turn light," Neale says.
"Alberta Transportation has been in touch with the Town of Olds, and agreed to allow the town to install a signal at their cost and Alberta Transportation will maintain the signal. As yet, we have not received word as to the town's next steps," she adds.
"Alberta Transportation will continue to monitor this intersection to ensure that it is functioning safely."
"We, the Town of Olds, are saying, 'but it's your highway. We're pointing out to you the dangers, the recognized need.'"MARY JANE HARPERELECTION CANDIDATE, INCUMBENT TOWN COUNCILLOR
