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Will four-way stops make intersections safer?

Province surveys residents on Morrin Corner and Highway 9 and 21 intersections.

The scene of an accident July of this year at Morrin Corner. In the foreground is a memorial to three children and an adult who died at the intersection in 2007. Alberta Transportation is proposing to make the intersection a four-way stop.

    Alberta Transportation is looking for feedback on changes it can make to area intersections to make them safer and efficient.
   The department has devised two surveys asking for feedback on the intersections of Highway 9, 27, and 56, commonly known as Morrin Corner, and the intersection of Highway 9 and 21.
   Both intersections have been in the news recently.
   July 5 of this year, six people received medical treatment and two STARS Air Ambulances were dispatched to a collision at Morrin Corner.
   Just 10 days later, a young highway maintenance contractor from Three Hills was killed at the intersection of Highway 9 and Highway 21.
   Russ Watts, infrastructure manager for Alberta Transportation, says they want to learn the opinions of residents and stakeholders on whether the intersections should be changed to four way stops.
   “We want to get an unbiased look from people,” said Watts. “We want to get a sense for what people actually think.”
   Starland CAO Ross Rawlusyk says the county’s website has a link to the survey regarding Morrin Corner.
   “The county received a letter from Alberta Transportation advising they were going to make some immediate modifications to Morrin Corner,” said Rawlusyk, noting they would be moving the stop signs to the centre of the lanes, improving the markings and deepening the rumble strips.
   ‘They (Alberta Transportation) asked Council their opinion and our guys discussed it and they actually passed a motion to support changing to a four-way stop,” said Rawlusyk. “We have taken the position that it could be a good thing and maybe save a life.”
   Alberta Transportation is hoping to hear from residents as well on what they think could be done to make this intersection safer.
   Watts say Wheatland, Kneehill and Starland Counties are being active in getting the survey out to interested parties.
   Along with the survey, there are information pages to learn more about what steps are being taken.
   “We are looking at if we want to take them (these changes) further,” sad Watts.

Snapshot of race day in Drumheller, Tour of Alberta

Local historian presents honour roll to Strathcona County

A volunteer Drumheller historian who has played a part in documenting the war history of a number of communities throughout Alberta, has completed his most recent project.
Reg Bennett has been compiling honour rolls and remembrance books to commemorate the role many Alberta communities played in conflict and war. It was his research that allowed the Drumheller Cenotaph to be updated when unveiled last spring. His more recent project is helping to commemorate the war dead of Strathcona County.

Reg Bennett was in Sherwood Park on August 24 to present his latest book of Remembrance to the community. Pictured are (l-r) co-author Bonnie Ferguson, Bennett , Strathcona County Mayor Linda Osinchuk and Starr Hansen, Strathcona Museum curator.

    “It was a very ambitious project,” museum curator Starr Hanson said, noting that two of her staff members have been fully dedicated to the project since May to get it completed in time for Strathcona Celebrates.
   Bennett attended the Freedom of the County Parade at Sherwood Park on Saturday, August 24. Bennett and fellow historian Bonnie Ferguson presented the book to Mayor Linda Osinchuk and a high-ranking officer of The Lord Strathcona’s Horse.
   This was a project that Bennett played a role in creating.

Commanding Officer Lieutenant-Colonel Paul Peyton of the Lord Strathcona’s Horse, right, is presented a copy of the Strathcona Book of Remembrance by Bennett.

    Bennett said it was an extensive project and originally he was to do Sherwood Park, but the project grew to encompass the entire County. His research came up with hundreds of names. One issue they ran into in making the book was that at one time the boundary of Strathcona County went clear to the Saskatchewan border. So the honour roll was paired down to reflect the current county.
   Bennett’s part was to find the names of those who died and prepare the honour roll as well as cover sheet for each solder. Ferguson worked on putting together a biography of each soldier. There were service men in the area that fought in the Boer War, many soldiers from World War I and World War II and in-service soldiers before and after World War II. There were also three soldiers killed in Afghanistan honoured.
   It was a busy day and Bennett was honoured to be a part of it. At the Freedom of the County Parade Day, the Lord Strathcona’s Horse Regiment was presented the key to the city. There was also the unveiling of a monument to two of the soldiers who died in Afghanistan.

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