Submitted

The Drumheller Association of Skateboarding Enthusiasts (DASE) received a large donation this past week from ATB Financial Drumheller Branch. The financial institution donated $10,000 to DASE to help with the completion of the new skateboard park between the Drumheller Aquaplex and the Drumheller Memorial Arena. Brooke Christianson said DASE is “so excited and grateful that ATB has chosen to step up in such a big way to contribute to the skateboard park. This is yet another confirmation of the importance of this park and a great example of the widespread community support we have here in Drumheller to make it happen.”  Pictured above from left to right are:  Nick Sereda, DASE, Brooke Christianson, DASE, Paul Salvatore, DASE and the Town of Drumheller, Adrian Hartman, ATB Financial Drumheller Branch Manager, and Sue Schmidt, Relationship Manager for Business and Agriculture.

A filephoto of a collision at Morrin Corner in July of 2013 where two STARS choppers responded. In November of that year, four-way stops were installed at Highway 9 and 21 and at Morrin Corner.

It has been almost two years since two major intersections in the area were changed to four-way stops, and while it appears there has been an improvement, Alberta Transportation says it is too early to say whether the intersections are indeed safer.

In November of 2013, following public consultations, four-way stops were installed at the intersection of Highway 9 and 21, and at the intersection of Highway 9, 27 and 56, known as Morrin Corner. These, along with other improvements including rumble strips and signage were hoped to improve the safety of the intersections.

Spokesperson for Alberta Transportation Carrie Sancartier says it is too early to decisively say the changes have made a difference.

“The stop signs were put in place to improve safety, but we require five years of stats before we can draw any conclusions,” she said.

According to the statistics provided by Alberta transportation, over the five year period, 2008 to 2012, there were 10 intersection-related collisions at the junction of Highway 9 and Highway 21: One fatal collision, six injury collisions and three property damage only collisions. These collisions resulted in one fatality and 21 injuries.

A review of the preliminary data for 2013 and 2014 finds one fatal crash and one property damage only collisions during 2013 and one fatal crash and three property damage only collisions during 2014.

At Morrin Corner, over the five year period, 2008 to 2012, there were nine intersection-related collisions at the junction of Highway 9 and Highway 27/56: Zero fatal collisions, six injury collisions and three property damage only collisions. These collisions resulted in 13 injuries.
A review of the preliminary data for 2013 and 2014 finds two-property damage only collisions during 2013 and no collisions during 2014. (The Mail reported that a 90 year old woman died in a collision on April 27, 2014).

She says to keep in mind that this information is preliminary and subject to change.