ATHABASCA — Rural residents and oilfield drivers travelling on back roads in the southern portion of the county will have a new stop sign to look out for after a two-vehicle collision prompted county staff to consider a change.
Athabasca County councillors passed a motion to change the yield signs currently in place along Twp road 632 to stop signs at the intersection with RR 241. Coun. Minns went one step further than administrations recommendation, capturing both east- and west-bound signs on 632 in his motion.
The intersection is located 10 kilometres southeast of the hamlet of Perryvale, and according to manager of protective services Travis Shalapay, was the site of a two-vehicle collision in early August.
In Shalapay’s request for decision discussed during the Aug. 29 council meeting, he noted an eastbound vehicle travelling along 632 struck a northbound vehicle with the right of way in the intersection Aug. 9. No serious injuries occurred.
Poor sightlines at the intersection were dubbed a factor in the collision, and Shalapay’s report notes brush and vegetation growth have interfered with views, particularly in the southwest corner of the intersection.
Public works crews have since brushed areas of the intersection with hand tools, and further mulching to restore intersection sightlines is recommended next summer season.
The recommendation to change the yield signs to stop was made due to the wait time for further clearing to reduce the risk to drivers, including increased oilfield traffic due to new development projects.
