Something needs to be done at the intersection of highways 33 and 18 before someone is killed, County councillors agree.
The speed limit along this stretch of road was a topic of discussion at last week’s County meeting. Coun. Darrell Troock added the topic to the agenda, because it’s a busy stretch or road and gravel-hauling trucks aren’t slowing down when passing vehicles turning left or right onto Highway 33. If one of those trucks driving at 100 km/h hits another vehicle, no one will survive, he said.
There was some debate as to the exact distance, but Troock said he would like to see the speed limit reduced to 80 km/h for at least 300 metres east and west of the intersection. He said he had a recent experience where he was making a right-hand turn into Barrhead after travelling from the west. A gravel truck travelling in the same direction passed entirely too close for comfort, and there was no indication the driver even attempted to slow down, he said.
“Many other residents have expressed a concern over this stretch of highway,” Troock said.
Coun. Bill Lane said he would like to see more enforcement at that area of the highway. The County could increase visits from the bylaw officer, or perhaps the RCMP could ramp up its patrols of the area. He said several gravel-hauling companies have come to the County and expressed an interest in policing the area themselves, because they don’t want to be in bad standing with the County or the Town.
Increased enforcement wouldn’t be enough, said County superintendent of Public Works Cal Fischer. If the County is going to do something, it needs to have “teeth,” he said, because a gravel truck driving at 99 km/h isn’t breaking any laws.
“It’s only going to get worse,” Fischer said.
The County will be lobbying Alberta Transportation to reduce the speed limit for this stretch of highway.
