This paper was presented at the `Community traffic solutions for the future' session. The town of Brooks, a municipality of over 12,000, is located along the TransCanada Highway in Alberta. The town has two access points to Highway 1: one via 2 Street West, a north-south two lane arterial, and a second via Cassils Road, a two lane east-west arterial. Both of these arterials are experiencing congestion problems due to past and current development patterns. Current land use represents a blend of residential, commercial and industrial development. The Town wishes to preserve its "small town" atmosphere and image, and at the same time address existing access and congestion problems. In 1996, the Town made a decision to upgrade Cassils Road. In 1997, a study was undertaken by UMA Engineering to review possible improvement options for 2 Street West, including development of an access control strategy. The study included a review of the future transportation skeleton network in the area, as well as land use and community requirements. The project team faced unique problems related to varied right-of-way widths and different forms of access control, as well as the existing service roads along the north section of 2 Street West. An analysis of different improvement options for 2 Street West was to develop a long-term plan that would provide for all modes of transportation including pedestrians and bicyclinsts. Conclusions of the study, adopted during a public consultation process, supported a four-lane arterial with a dual left turning lane as the best and the most economical long-term solution to current and future operational problems. This five-lane cross-section will also be required to provide a natural transition to a four or six lane divided cross-section in the future.
Abstract