On June 3, MLA Bruce Rowe, along with several of us who have opposed the construction of traffic-impeding concrete medians on Highway 2A met with Alberta Transportation and the Town of Olds.Mr. Rowe had requested this meeting some time ago, over the fact he himself had received numerous calls on how the medians are affecting traffic flow.Representatives from Mountain View County were also present expressing concerns they had from area producers as well.Industrial traffic has also written to complain about issues in moving their equipment down Highway 2A.Clearly the most logical way to allow traffic to turn left or right would have been painted lines; this would allow all traffic to flow freely on Highway 2A.These concrete medians do not allow free flow of all traffic.I farm southeast of Olds and use both highways 27 and 2A to move equipment.I presented Alberta Transportation with a fact sheet showing the transport width of common farm equipment (tractors, combines, high clearance sprayers, seeding units).It became apparent right away that Alberta Transportation had no knowledge and did not consider the transport width of today's farm equipment.And how when these units do pass through they have to drive up and over the concrete medians, possibly incurring damage to their equipment due to the signs posted in the concrete or trees/light standards on either side of the highway.No doubt industrial traffic has the same issues.The response from Alberta Transportation and the town was: “The medians allowing a turning lane into the Pomeroy Inn are working. And that further traffic restricting measures were in consideration for other areas of Highway 2A. No changes are in order.”As for the agricultural community and industrial sector, we are very fortunate that Olds is home to several major farm equipment dealers, crop supply companies, feed mill, machinery manufacturers, welding shops, auction marts, and the numerous other businesses that work along with us.We need safe access to these businesses.Until we see a Highway 27 and Highway 2A bypass these highways must remain open to all traffic.And let's get any future changes to either highway openly discussed with all of us that use these roads.If you agree, please contact:MLA Bruce Rowe: 403- 556-3132, [email protected] Wayne Drysdale, minister of transportation: 780 427-2080.Let's get Highway 2A open!Jeff NielsenOlds
