With the city’s population expected to nearly double over the next 25 years, Cold Lake city council is preparing groundwork for a major transformation in transportation infrastructure.
The recently unveiled 2024 Transportation Master Plan (TMP) aims to address the demands of a growing community, from improving roadways to enhancing pedestrian and transit systems.
The updated TMP, presented by Innovative Systems and Logistics Engineering (ISL) at the November 19 Corporate Priorities meeting, outlines a strategic blueprint to guide infrastructure development and address issues such as traffic flow, transit accessibility, and pedestrian safety.
The TMP recommends multiple measures to prepare for Cold Lake’s projected growth, which include Highway 28 expansion to accommodate increased traffic volumes, transit enhancements which included introducing on-demand transit services to better serve low-ridership areas, pedestrian connectivity, recommending targeted upgrades to ensure seamless connectivity and improved walkability, and traffic calming, measures include implementing curb extensions and raised crosswalks to enhance safety while maintaining compatibility with emergency and snow-clearing vehicles.
Dan Zegler, Sustainable Transportation Lead at ISL Engineering, emphasized specific safety concerns, particularly at two high-risk intersections on Highway 28, 50th Avenue and 55th Avenue. Zegler recommended conducting detailed safety reviews to address issues at these locations. Collision data from 2016 to 2021 also pointed to higher traffic incidents during winter months, highlighting the need for stronger safety measures.
“At the 15-year growth horizon, there is significant growth assumed in North Cold Lake, north of Highway 55, with additional expansion to the south,” he explained stating by the end of the 25-year horizon growth is anticipated east of Highway 28 between North and South Cold Lake.
The updated plan builds on Cold Lake’s previous TMP, which was completed in 2012, incorporating new data and growth patterns, traffic counts, and travel trends to project future transportation needs.
The plan will undergo a final round of public engagement on December 5 before completion. City officials and ISL Engineering will address feedback and finalize recommendations to ensure Cold Lake’s transportation systems are ready for the demands of a doubling population.
Zegler noted that ISL as a company has done a few projects in the city emphasizing the firm’s local expertise in transportation and civil engineering.
