Concerns have been raised in the community about a set of traffic lights being built on Highway 43 as part of the Highway 43X bypass project. The lights are set to be built about 4 kilometres east of Richmond Hill.
Alberta Transportation Regional Director Ryan Konowalyk says he respectfully disagrees with those saying it will impede on traffic and safety. Vehicles will only need to stop at the lights if they go down the Highway 43X bypass and want to turn left back into the city. Otherwise, they can continue onto Highway 43 towards the BC border via a lane that will allow them to merge.
Although there was previous confusion, he adds that the lights are also not directly at the bottom of Richmond Hill and there is enough space to drive appropriately in that area. He explains there is also enough time to speed up to go over the hill.
There is also a roundabout planned as part of the project. Konowalyk says there was some confusion about the traffic circle being placed near Richmond Hill. He explains that it is being built north of the city at 116th Street to help in traffic flow from the city and the highway.