Road concept for access points along Highway 55 (supplied photo/City of Meadow Lake)

By Elliott Knopp

Highway 55 Concept

City of Meadow Lake to conduct traffic study on Flying Dust First Nation Highway 55 proposal

Jun 15, 2021 | 3:03 PM

Following a proposal from Flying Dust First Nation (FDFN) that would generate more access points to Highway 55, the City of Meadow Lake has passed a motion to conduct a traffic safety study on the proposal.

The plan put forward from FDFN would create access points connecting to Highway 55 on 6^th Street West, Centre Street, Neyeyo Road (extending from 3^rd Street East) and 7^th Street East. City documents mentioned the development has potential to provide both communities with several benefits.

“I think it’s a fairly significant development,” Councillor Tom Harrison said. “I think the development is exciting, and hopefully, we can find a good opportunity to make sure it’s safe.”

City documents explained while Highway 55 has room for two driving lanes between Highway 4 and Third Street East, the road bottlenecks and becomes more narrow, only retaining the ability for one driving lane.

The City expects the Seventh Street East access to require road upgrades to Highway 55 before the development can begin, possibly needing traffic control devices if the anticipated traffic calls for it. Council believes installing a new approach at this intersection would help redirect traffic from Highway 55, therefore reducing traffic congestion during peak hours.

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The other access additions should have an easier conversion process as the two-lane traffic would allow the City to designate turning lanes, leaving the additional lanes available for motorists driving straight.

A timeline for the traffic study has not been determined. Both communities will need to come to an agreement on a shared funding model before moving forward with the proposed concept.

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elliott.knopp@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @ElliottKnopp