Draft Transportation Master Plan On Its Way

Cars utilizing the only walking or active transportation infrastructure for parking along South Railway Street last week. Unlike the blocks on either side of the pictured one, there are no barriers preventing the near daily use of this particular stretch of the multi-use trail for motor vehicle parking. (Photo Alex McCuaig)

Following more than two years and half-million-dollar budget commitment to develop a blueprint to improve traffic safety in the city, a draft plan will be presented in days, council heard Monday.

“The draft is expected to be forthcoming and to be published in mid-February,” Pat Bohan, managing director of infrastructure and development, told council.

The ambitious Transportation Master Plan will lay out a 25-year framework for traffic development in the city and include three elements – an updated roadway master plan, along with active transportation and traffic safety strategies.

The draft vision of the plan, in part, “is to develop a transportation system that is more economically and environmentally sustainable, supports varying land uses and intensities and provides more efficient, healthier and safer ways for Hatters to get around.”

The initiative was launched in December 2022 with half the budgeted funds committed to the roadway plan with traffic safety and active transportation strategies each having $125,000 committed to development.

A report based on 750 responses from an open survey conducted in early 2024 highlighted reducing travel times, enhancing active transportation and reducing transportation costs as the top issues concerning Hatters. The Trans-Canada Highway, Dunmore Rd and 13th Ave. SE were the top three corridors the survey identified were of concern.

Monday saw council receive the plan’s first status update which was initially scheduled to be completed by the end of 2024. Few details were provided.

But one project connected to the Transportation Master Plan has garnered the most discussion at the committee and council level – the $1.2 million Heron Crossing/Canyon Creek multi-use trail. The trail would connect the “leapfrog” neighbourhoods consisting of 22 homes to Cypress County’s Desert Blume sub-division.

A bus bench sits precariously after being struck by a vehicle last month near where a city transit bus struck hit a tree on Sixth Street SE. (File photo)

According to comments from council and staff, there is a public misunderstanding of the proposed project stemming from a January Development and Infrastructure (D&I) Committee meeting.

“In the last few weeks, a federal grant has been announced for active transportation, and we intend to submit an application for this particular stretch,” Stan Nowakowski, director of municipal works, told the committee last month about the plans for the trail.

Bohan explained to council – and D&I Committee member Coun. Alison Van Dyke who raised the issue of the misunderstanding – that no final decision has been made on that application.

“The Heron Crossing item has not been prioritized,” Bohan told council. “We’ve identified three projects which may qualify for that (federal grant). We’re still going through that evaluation process.”

The federal government announced its capital project stream of the Active Transportation Fund in December with the deadline for application on Feb. 26.

City staff have recommended the Heron Crossing/Canyon Creek trail not proceed as it doesn’t conform to the municipality’s development strategies.

Despite this, D&I Committee chair Coun. Shila Sharps said Monday it was a top issue.

“This Canyon Creek/Heron Crossing has been a bit of a conversation before council – we keep getting emails on this area. I know, managing director (Bohan) that this has been on the top priorities for D&I,” said Sharps on Monday.

Coun. Alison Van Dyke during Monday’s council meeting. (Photo Alex McCuaig)

She added there may also be a misunderstanding of the support the project has from Cypress County with feedback she’s received from her elected counterparts indicating that council would like to look at involvement.

Cypress County had previously identified a multi-use path between Dunmore and Medicine Hat as a consideration.

County council announced in 2022 it was funding a $10,000 conceptual design of a path linking the city and residents in the hamlet east of the Hat.

A regional trail which would connect Dunmore to Medicine Hat and Redcliff has been identified in numerous surveys, reports and intermunicipal planning documents in the past two decades.

Currently, there is no specific active transportation infrastructure connecting the three communities or even a sidewalk, path or road shoulder connecting city residents to Co-op Place.

The draft Master Transportation Plan is expected to be published as soon as next week.