New traffic lights are going in to a problematic intersection on Highway 43. The provincial government will be upgrading the crossing with Highway 22 in Mayerthorpe with the signals, better lighting and signage, and wider turn lanes.
The town has been advocating for safety improvements at the intersection for the past decade, and mayor Kate Patrick credits the current and former councils for getting the province’s attention.
“Both of these primary highways intersect at the main entrance to the town, see a large volume of traffic on a daily basis, and will see increased traffic as development occurs over time.”
The province says more than 10,000 vehicles pass through the intersection every day. Division 6 Councillor for Lac Ste. Anne County Ross Bohnet adds that it has been the scene of many collisions.
“As the councillor representing the many rural people who regularly use this intersection I welcome this project and hopefully it will stop the accidents,” says Bohnet.
Mayerthorpe RCMP urged drivers to follow the rules of the road in August after responding to two crashes involving six vehicles over just two days.
Installation of the new features is expected to happen during the 2018 construction season. The entire project is pegged to cost between $1 and $1.5 million.