ATHABASCA — Say goodbye to left turns onto Highway 55 coming from Cornwall on 34th Street, or crossing the highway straight south into Cornwall, as intersection changes will soon be complete on the east side of Athabasca.
Once that portion of the project is completed, there will only be right-in, right-out access, meaning anyone driving east on Highway 55 coming up the hill can turn into the Cornwall area of town there, and anyone leaving Cornwall on 34th Street will have to turn right, or east. If you want to go west, you will have to go at least to 30th Street by Canadian Tire or beyond.
Early Aug. 19, the Town of Athabasca posted a blueprint on its Facebook page provided by Roads West Engineering so residents can become aware of the changes visually and hopefully help make the transition easier.
“The intersection will become a right-in, right-out only access designated by a concrete island on the south side of the highway that will prevent traffic from going south across the highway. It will also have an additional right turn lane,” said Alberta Transportation communications advisor Anna Neale in an Aug. 19 e-mail.
Those new turning lanes will soon be paved, as the packed material beneath is now nearly level with the existing road. Note, there will be no changes to the turning lanes in and out of 34th Street toward A&W on the north side of Highway 55..
“There are no grading adjustments being conducted on the north side of the intersection, but with this upgrade, traffic will no longer be able to come straight south across the highway anymore.”
The paving should be done during the week of Aug. 22 with the island installed the last week of August.
“Cleanup and lighting to be completed thereafter. We are excited to get this safer version of this intersection active,” read the post.
The truck turnout on the north side of Highway 55 across the highway from Deerland Equipment entering the Town of Athabasca limits will also be completed.
“The project includes plans to improve the truck stop by widening and lengthening the existing truck stop,” Neale said.
She added the department has not received any complaints of speeding through the area.
“Local law enforcement is responsible for addressing compliance and enforcement of speed limits,” she said. “Alberta Transportation has not received any concerns of speeding through the project area, however, if citizens have concerns, they are advised to contact local law enforcement.”
Construction on the Highway 55 project started mid-June 2022 and is anticipated to be finished by the end of October or early November, Neale noted.
“Paving on either side of the Tawatinaw River Bridge on Highway 55 is part of the scope for this project. It will be addressed before the end of this construction season.”
