After another fatal collision on Highway 3 which took the life of a local woman, Coalhurst town council is looking into options to improve the intersection that has been so dangerous for drivers.

Susan Waterfield from Coalhurst died in an accident at that intersection on the evening of Feb. 10 as she was turning her car from Coalhurst eastbound onto Highway 3. She was struck by a half-ton truck driven by an 18 year-old woman and died after being taken to hospital.
The driver of the truck and her passenger sustained minor injuries.

Coalhurst Mayor Dennis Cassie says another main road out of Coalhurst is something they are looking at in order to prevent these types of accidents.

“We have the option right now to try and make a connection to Highway 25 (the Picture Butte Highway). It would be a new connection.”  

This would mean closing the median that permits traffic going eastbound out of Coalhurst onto Highway 3.

Previous reports indicated that the province wouldn’t provide funding for the project, which would mean that the town of Coalhurst would be fully responsible for the costs. Cassie says that isn’t necessarily the case.

“We are still working with the government. We will be looking to get funding from them.”

Cassie recently expressed frustration at both the provincial government and MLA Barry McFarland over not getting proper funding for a new road, saying that he would get the road built for the sake of saving lives.

Coalhurst town council sent a letter to town residents, stating that a special town hall meeting was held in regards to the Highway 3 intersection.

Also attached was a copy of the letter draft they are encouraging residents to send to the Alberta Minister of Transportation, requesting that the speed limit on Highway 3 by Coalhurst “be reduced from 110 kilometres per hour to 70 kilometres per hour” effective as soon as possible. In addition, a repositioning on the westbound deceleration lane into Coalhurst should be made to improve the vision sightlines for vehicles at the STOP sign exiting Coalhurst.

Cassie adds that previous accidents that have occurred at the same location add to the tragedy.

“There have been two accidents and two fatalities in two years. It’s very disconcerting. It’s always sad when something like this happens. It’s tragic.”

Coalhurst town council did pass a resolution at a Feb. 17 meeting to put up signs to remind motorists to use caution at the intersection .