(McElhanney Ltd)

By Sheldon Spackman

Stakeholder Engagement

Public feedback sought on Highway 11 twinning project

Mar 2, 2021 | 8:00 AM

Round two of online public engagement is underway regarding the feasibility of roundabouts along Highway 11 between Eckville and Red Deer.

The current round of public engagement began last month with residents having until March 10 to submit their feedback on the proposed plans.

McKenzie Kibler, spokesperson for Alberta Transportation, says public consultation is essential to the work of the ministry and is considered when evaluating different road and bridge options, including when changes need to be made to initial designs.

“Alberta Transportation conducted public engagement for the Highway 11 roundabout feasibility study between Eckville and Red Deer,” he explains. “We received 485 responses and are pleased that so many Albertans in the area have shared their feedback about what this project should look like and how it can best serve them. This is not to be confused with the Highway 11 twinning project, between Red Deer and Rocky Mountain House.”

Highlights from round one of public consultations included a desire by respondents to maintain Range Road 13 access south of Highway 11 at Highway 20, improvements to the Burnt Lake Trail intersection, and a general acceptance of roundabouts planned at Highway 20, Highway 781, and Range Road 15 at the western edge of Sylvan Lake.

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Positive feedback for improved access at Highway 781, and the need to address implementation timelines were also identified.

Top concerns of respondents included traffic (28%), access (25%), safety (23%), other (17%), environmental (5%), and road condition (2%).

A summary of round one recommendations note the intersection of Highway 11 and Highway 20 as currently functioning at an acceptable level, and to remain as a signalized (traffic lights) intersection for now. The longer-term plan, however, is to convert the intersection to a roundabout with a right-in, right-out access to Range Road 13 to the south, when warranted by traffic growth. The ultimate plan though, is for an interchange at the intersection.

Meanwhile, a roundabout recommended at Highway 781 is expected to provide for all directional access at Highway 11, with a roundabout further west at Range Road 15, hoped to address future development in Sylvan Lake.

Officials anticipate all recommended roundabouts to accommodate future traffic for the next 30-plus years, and accommodate large vehicle (truck) manoeuvres as well.

In addition, the intersections of Highway 11 with Burnt Lake Trail, Range Road 25A (Benalto access), and Highway 766 (Eckville access), are also being proposed as roundabout concepts.

A roundabout at the Burnt Lake Trail intersection would be implemented based on area traffic growth, but to remain as a signalized intersection until that time.

Proposed roundabouts at Range Road 25A and Highway 766 are described as longer-term plans and not required within the next 30 years.

With the planned twinning of Highway 11, Range Road 25A and Highway 766 would be improved to larger intersections with turn bays.

Following the current round of public engagement, results will be summarized and plans developed based on stakeholder input and feedback from the Town of Eckville, Town of Sylvan Lake, Red Deer County, City of Red Deer, and Lacombe County.

“Design work has begun for the first portion of the Highway 11 twinning from west of Highway 20 to west of Range Road 15,” adds Kibler. “Design will proceed on additional portions in the near future. No timelines are available for construction at this time.”

The $120 million Highway 11 twinning project is part of the province’s $10 billion recovery plan and is expected to create around 580 jobs, while upgrading the highway to improve safety and traffic flow on the 66-kilometre stretch from Sylvan Lake to Rocky Mountain House.

Government officials say approximately 5,800 vehicles travel on that section of Highway 11 daily.

“Highway 11 leads to some of the most breathtaking scenery in Canada,” suggests Kibler. “As both the primary east-west economic and tourism corridor for central Alberta and a designated future freeway between Red Deer and Eckville, Highway 11 is an important part of Alberta’s highway network. We encourage all residents of the area to provide their valuable feedback.”