Cochrane, Alberta

COCHRANE, ALBERTA of the growing population, the Town has ad- vocated the Province of Alberta for intersec- tion improvements at state-maintained roads, Highway 1A and Highway 22, in the heart of the community. This project has received a positive response, with the Province commit- ting to initiating intersection improvements by early 2020. The $70-plus million intersection improvement is something that the community has been waiting for, for years. Within their own municipal roadways, the Town has also begun construction of a new bridge over the Bow River, to facilitate the flow of traffic from the Spray Lakes Family Sports Centre and Cochrane’s commercial district, to the south east communities of Riviera and Ri- versong. “The $54 million corridor and bridge is slated to be completed in the fall of 2020,” says Genung. “This new infrastructure aims to alleviate traffic congestion, as it allows resi- dents from these southern communities to move into our core without using the highway. It will also be a secondary access for emergen- cy responders.” While the Town is challenged with significant growth, and continues to focus on the required infrastructure investments, maintaining and revitalizing the historic downtown remains a priority. “We are always looking to honor our history but also be a progressive community of the future,” adds Genung. “Being intersected by the railway and the Bow River provides us with an opportunity to protect our historic downtown and not fall into the trap that many