Rocky View County (RVC) administration is looking into possible solutions to traffic complaints coming from residents of Sharp Hill. Although some mitigation measures have previously been implemented by both RVC and the City of Airdrie, traffic continues to be a concern for local residents.
Located at the junction of Township Road 264 and Range Road 293, the neighbourhood is situated between the City of Airdrie and East Balzac, and according to residents, traffic has increased steadily as development has moved into the East Balzac area.
According to RVC administration, the issue has been brought to the RVC Policy and Priority Committee on three previous occasions in 2013, which resulted in a number of attempts from both RVC and the City of Airdrie to calm the traffic in the area – including posting additional signage to direct traffic away from the community. However, area resident Bill Leschasin said the increased flow continues to be a concern.
“This past summer, Airdrie has expanded to the southeast, and we’ve seen even more traffic passing through Sharp Hill,” Leschasin said. “And not only are the directional signs disregarded, so are the stop signs.”
Leschasin presented a video clip shot from the north side of the intersection, to demonstrate to the committee the “blatant disregard” area traffic shows for the visible signage. According to Leschasin, 95 per cent of the residents of Sharp Hill seem to be in favour of having their community gated, to keep traffic from passing through the residential area.
“You really have to work carefully to get the balance right,” said Tracy Corbett, manager of Planning and Sustainable development with the City of Airdrie. “Sharp Hill residents still want good access into the city for shopping and services and recreation, so they need to be clear that the gates work both ways – they may help cut some of the traffic, but they will also reduce access to the city.”
According to Corbett, planned upgrades to 40th Avenue, which connects into the Sharp Hill community, “ideally” should relieve transportation pressures on the residential roads.
“There are a lot of options to be considered for this area, but it’s important that all residents are clear on what the implications may be,” Corbett added.
Deputy Reeve Lois Habberfield, area councillor, requested RVC administration work with the Sharp Hill community to bring a report back to the committee with recommendations as to how the issue could be resolved. Her motion was passed unanimously.
“The people are here for the third or fourth time asking us to do something,” Habberfield said. “But I think we need more information before we can decide on steps going forward. Pros and cons, what does it cost, does it set a precedent? All that stuff still needs to be discussed.”
