Suzanne Oel – Division 4
Greetings! Sharing my News Update…
Ambulance Situation: A welcome announcement came out from the Province on March 10, 2022. In an effort to address ongoing concerns in both rural and urban settings, funds and workplans have been allocated towards securing more ambulances on the street and to improve response times. While the project has just been rolled out, we look forward to seeing the results of the additional $64 M price tag and the review currently under way by the EMS Provincial Advisory Committee. Apparently, we can expect additional ambulances, an attempt to keep rural ambulances at home to serve their local areas, a rework of interfacility transport and initiatives to improve working conditions. More will be reported on this, ongoing.
Highway 22 & 352 ST W Intersection News: I’m sharing some good news about the future improvement scheduled for this intersection location. After reaching out to our MLA Miranda Rosin (thank you), who then contacted Alberta Transportation administration, the following update is provided: As you may know, there are currently no turning lanes to and from 353 ST off of Highway 22, even though a review in 2008 recommended the intersection upgrade. In 2012, when a pavement overlay of Highway 22 was done, there wasn’t enough money in the budget to complete an upgrade. There is another pavement overlay project planned for within the next five years and this intersection improvement will be included in the scope. Let’s keep a watch out for this project.
Highway 2 & 338 Avenue Interchange: Due to an increase of traffic on Highway 2 in the County, investigations for solutions are under way by Alberta Transportation, Foothills County, the Town of Okotoks and consultants, to address safety concerns. Discussions continue about closing the medians at 370, 338 and 306 Avenues, while a Functional Study is now under way for a new interchange overpass at the increasingly busy 338 Avenue location. This overpass has ranked high as a solution in both regional and provincial infrastructure evaluations. Three finalist configurations for the interchange design are now being presented to the public and area landowners. In March, a first-round of online engagements took place. Next up, feedback will be collected and further involvement of the community will contribute to choosing a preferred option by the end of 2022. Check out the link to see more about the proposed options and plans: www.alberta.ca/highway-2-to-338-avenue-interchange.aspx
Reminder: As a follow-up to our Spruce Budworm Workshop in 2021, we have posted our “Spruce Budworm” summary on the Foothills County website. We are monitoring the situation with our neighbouring municipalities and the Province, and offer to provide advice to our residents on this issue. We are not planning any large-scale intervention measures. Our Agricultural Services is also available to help with specific questions. You will find the details here: www.foothillscountyab.ca/services/agricultural-services/spruce-bud-worm.html
Status of Priddis Flood Hazard Study: I recently learned that this study on the Fish and Priddis Creeks is near completion and may be released soon in 2022. Visit: www.alberta.ca/draft-flood-maps.aspx Scroll down to “Priddis River Hazard Study”, click on the study update and visit the next link to see more details.
Dark Sky Country: Here in Foothills County, we enjoy viewing the night sky, and hope to protect healthy cycles of nature and the functioning of our local Rothney Astrophysical Observatory. The type of outside lighting that we use makes a difference to all this. Our Dark Sky Committee invites you to be a part of the solution to reduce light pollution. Please consider installing full cut-off, downward shining, non-glare outdoor lights and use only when needed. Your neighbours will also thank you. Take a moment during “Dark Sky Week”, April 22-30, 2022, to discover the night: idsw.darksky.org/ The International Dark-Sky Association vision, reads: “The night sky, filled with stars, is celebrated and protected around the world as a shared heritage benefitting all living things.” Learn more about our local initiative and our committee partners: Foothills County, Rothney Astrophysical Observatory, Cross Conservancy and Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. Visit: www.darkskycountry.ca
Fish Creek Watershed Association: is moving ahead with their “Upper Fish Creek Watershed Management Plan”, which includes our area. FCWA would like to hear from interested residents, including those who live next to Fish and Priddis Creeks. If you are interested to join in the conversation, let me know and I will connect you to the group.
With Best Regards,
Suzanne
For Other News & Updates:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CouncillorSuzanneOel/
Email: Suzanne.Oel@FoothillsCountyAB.ca
