The Town has, in the past, entertained the notion of a by-pass route around the Town in an effort to eliminate through traffic along 50th Avenue through the heart of Downtown. The 1982 Transportation Study identified a south by-pass that would allow all through traffic (including heavy trucks and/or dangerous goods) to avoid the Downtown core. The 1990 Transportation Study indicated that the routing outlined in the 1982 study was no longer feasible, and indeed would not be warranted until at least the 20,000 population horizon.
The original statement in the request for proposals identified this issue as a “long term” issue to be addressed for the 20,000 population horizon. Although truck issues are certainly discussed later in this report as part of that long-term analysis, there are a number of points of note that should be considered by the Town and Alberta Transportation as part of the short term analysis. These specifically include the following:
· Truck traffic approaching from the north that is destined for Highway 12 east of Lacombe has the opportunity to avoid the Downtown area by departing Highway 2 at the interchange with Highway 2A north of the Town. This traffic can then utilize the Wolf Creek Drive by-pass in order to avoid the Highway 2A/Highway 12 intersection. The reverse movement can also be accommodated in the same manner.
· Truck traffic approaching from the south on Highway 2 or 2A can by-pass the Downtown area by utilizing Highway 2A to the intersection with Highway 12. The reverse movement can be accommodated in the same manner.
· Truck traffic approaching from the west on Highway 12 will pass through the Downtown core on Highway 12 as it represents the most direct routing through the area – congestion notwithstanding. The same is true for the return movement.
In effect, it is likely that the majority of the truck traffic that passes through the area is already by-passing the Downtown core. Although this has not been confirmed empirically, the volumes of truck traffic on Highway 12 east of Highway 2A and the turning movement activity involving trucks at the Highway 2A/Highway 12 intersection seems to support that notion. It is also postulated that many of the trucks that do utilize Highway 12 through the Downtown core are in fact making deliveries to the businesses in the area. Some of these trucks will continue on to other locations outside of Lacombe, therefore making the trip qualify as a through trip.
While the concept of a by-pass is initially appealing for obvious reason of reduction or elimination of truck traffic on Highway 12 through the Downtown core, it is possible that the actual utilization of such a route could be limited given the points already noted. It is therefore recommended that the Town undertake a truck origin/destination study to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of the actual through truck traffic volumes before proceeding further with any consideration of a by-pass. That said, it is also recommended that the opportunities to by-pass the Downtown under existing conditions be enhanced by providing signage on Highway 2 at the interchanges with Highway 2A north of Lacombe and Secondary Highway 597 south of Blackfalds in an effort to further deflect truck traffic away from the Downtown area.
It should also be noted that both Highway 2A and Highway 12 are primary highways and are under the control of Alberta Transportation, and as such, Alberta Transportation cannot legislate the removal of truck traffic from these roads. They may also be limited in their ability to sign truck routes away from Highway 12 in favour of Highway 2A given that Highway 12 is a Primary Highway and therefore a truck route. Longer term options to deal with this issue are outlined later in this report.