Dear Editor,
I have been following the proposed turnabout at the intersection of Highway 55 and secondary Highway 892. I cannot understand the rational behind this proposal.
After talking to a lot of ratepayers, I have not come across one that supports your proposal. Most of them are more than upset.
Since when has it become the mandate of the MD of Bonnyville to upgrade or change provincial highways?
It is not the responsibility of the MD.
The provincial government collects the taxes. Let them attend to this matter.
Secondly, who conceived this idea of a turnabout? They do no work.
Cities are taking them out. People do not know how to use them.
Do we have $4 million to throw away?
A $500,000 set of lights would work perfectly. We only see heavier traffic follow in the early hours of the morning and later on in the afternoon when the workers leave the work sites.
I have personally driven past this intersection with a shuttle bus when I transport workers to work in the morning. There has never been a hold up or slow down. Traffic flowed through very well.
What is the problem? The problem is in the afternoon when the workers leave.
We are looking at a half-hour problem each work day and that's about it.
A well-programmed set of lights would solve the perceived problem.
Picture this. If the MD council and provincial government want to throw money out the door why not spend the savings of $3.5 million in health care or to attend to the shortage of senior housing in this community.
I would challenge council to present this proposal a month before a municipal election. You could rest assure that any candidate trying to make this thing fly, would send emails to council rather then receiving them as an elected councillor.
The provincial government should know better.
They have one of these turnabouts I know of one by Sylvan Lake and they are a trucker's worst nightmare. Any large vehicle such as a big coach has problems.
Have local contractors operating large trucks been asked for their feedback? Especially the ones who have driven through such turnabouts?
Why did Imperial Oil decline to put any money in this project?
They are generally supportive of sound projects. Obviously this one did not fall in the “smart” category.
Would we get the same reaction if we asked them to contribute to a good set of lights? Maybe not. They are not in the provincial highway business.
If you are taking over the provincial highway system, why don't you widen Highway 55 between LaCorey and Iron River? Don't you have enough of your own roads?
Why did the provincial government tell you that if you agreed to this proposal they would put the widening of Highway 55 on top of the priority list.
Isn't this blackmail? Exposed blackmailers go to jail where they belong.
I will be monitoring this situation.
I can guarantee you that if you do not change in your position regarding this project, you will have a petition sitting on your doorstep very soon.
That is a promise. You can take that to the bank.
There are enough volunteers available and ready to go.
Have you ever thought about having an open house to get the feedback of your ratepayers?
It would be very interesting.
Should any of you like to discuss this with me, I am available.
I have forwarded this letter to a number of ratepayers. This way their email addresses remain private.
Gilbert Proulx
Bonnyville
