The Boyle Integrated Traffic Unit (ITU) expansion is complete.
Alberta Premier Alison Redford and Athabasca-Redwater-Sturgeon Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) Jeff Johnson cut the ribbon to signify the opening of the newly expanded unit last Saturday.
The unit will continue to patrol Highway 63, Highway 881 and the surrounding area. The unit works with area RCMP and sheriff detachments as well as their own staff to ensure safer highways.
With 16 members posted to the unit, traffic enforcement will increase in the coming months. Previously, partly due to limited space, there were fewer than 10 members posted in Boyle.
Chief Sheriff of Alberta Sheriffs Rick Taylor attended the opening and said through education and enforcement, they hope to see positive results.
ìOur traffic unit personnel are working tirelessly to keep Albertans safe on all highways across Alberta, including Highway 63 and Highway 881,î he said. ìPremier Redford and her government have shown incredible leadership and support of this effort, adding additional RCMP and traffic sheriffs Ö while pursuing an aggressive engineering program that will see these highways become even more safe in the years to come.î
RCMP Assistant Commissioner Marianne Ryan said this opening could have only come to life with partnerships.
ìIn order to bring our integrated traffic unit together today, the Village of Boyle moved their village office, allowing this important renovation to take place,î she said. ìThat represents the high priority the citizens of Boyle have placed on traffic safety.î
Highway 63 and 881 connect Fort McMurray to Edmonton. Both are known for serious motor vehicle collisions.
ìThe Highway 63 initiative combines infrastructure improvements, public education and increased law enforcement, which is an important step in improving Albertaís highways,î Ryan said. ìI can assure you the Boyle Integrated Traffic Unit will be on the highways doing their part to ensure the Highway 63 initiative is a success, and that public safety remains the number-one priority for the RCMP as your provincial police service.î
Johnson said although the unit is based in Boyle, it is a community and Alberta initiative. With more than 250 kilometres of highway to patrol, the unit will bring a greater RCMP presence to the area ó a presence that focuses on traffic law enforcement.
ìOn behalf of our constituency, Premier, I just want to thank you. I want to thank you for taking such a leadership role in safe communities,î he said. ìYou are really taking the bull by the horns and making some of these things happen that are so important for our community and so important for our families and the first responders.î
As for results, Redford said the ITUs in the province have issued more than 300,000 tickets from 2011 to 2012.
ìWe know education has been important, and peopleís understanding that they need to drive responsibly has been important,î she said. ìWe have seen some pretty excessive speeds on Highway 63, and we have seen a significant reduction in those, and I think we will still see more.î
Corporal Paul Mitchell is the acting sergeant and unit commander for the Boyle ITU.
ìThe more people we have on the road, the safer we can make it,î he said. ìWe are glad to have a new building; we were cramped in the old one.î
Athabasca County Reeve David Yurdiga thanked the province on behalf of residents.
ìWith increased levels of law and traffic enforcement on Highway 63, we have noticed a significant drop in emergency responses,î he said. ìA job extremely well done by our local sheriffs, RCMP and ITU.î
