County of Grande Prairie Council voted in support of a traffic circle over traffic signal installation at the Highway 43 and Highway 733 intersection Monday (Courtesy of the County of Grande Prairie)

By Shaun Penner

Bezanson-Teepee Creek connector

County Council supportive of traffic circle installation at Highway 43/733 intersection

Nov 16, 2021 | 12:08 PM

County of Grande Prairie Council has endorsed the proposed installation of a traffic circle along Highway 43 at the Highway 733 intersection.

This came at Monday’s council meeting, as Alberta Transportation asked council to support either the installation of a traffic circle or traffic signal lights at the intersection connecting Bezanson with Teepee Creek.

Reeve Leanne Beaupre says safety improvements have long been sought by council at that intersection.

“It’s been a long time coming, and I know the previous a couple of councillors (in Divison 1) have been advocating on behalf of intersection improvements on that particular intersection for many, many years,” said Beaupre.

“To see Alberta Transportation is moving forward to asking for support on one of two options, we now look forward to seeing what the details are going to look like.”

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Council’s choice between supporting the traffic circle or signal lights was heavily in favour of the roundabout, as council has found success with other traffic circles in the County, notably the one at Highway 43X and Range Road 63/116 Street.

One councillor also noted during Monday’s meeting that traffic lights, similar to those at the Mayerthorpe intersection on Highway 43, would slow down traffic too much.

Beaupre adds signal lights could also lead to further safety issues at the intersection.

“Presently, there’s flashing signs, flashing lights, (and) big stop signs indicating that people must stop before they enter the highway, and that’s not happening (enough),” said Beaupre.

“So, overhead signalization… I don’t think that is going to stop them either.”

Among the councillors who were glad to see intersection improvements were being looked at was new Division 1 councillor Amanda Frayn, who represents the Bezanson area.

Frayn noted during Monday’s meeting that in her experience in emergency first response, she has seen some bad accidents at that intersection.

“Both the previous councillor and the one sitting today have always expressed how many times they’ve responded as an emergency first responder to incidents at that intersection, and how many times people have been fortunate for there not to be a fatality,” added Beaupre.

As part of council’s motion to support the traffic circle installation, they also asked for a final design to be brought back before council at a future meeting.

“Although Alberta Transporation is responsible for that intersection improvement, adjacent roads getting to there, the travelling public are on County of Grande Prairie roads,” said Beaupre. “We want to make sure that they meet our needs as well.”

Any work would be funded by the province, and no potential start date is known at this time.