Banff’s politicians have approved a new priority list for road improvements and reconstruction.
The new 10-year plan, approved by council last Monday (Sept. 14), puts Bear Street as the top roadway project priority, with work scheduled to begin in 2017, followed by St-Julien Road in 2018.
Officials say Banff has been using a prioritization model based on infrastructure and risk, and while the condition of infrastructure is still heavily weighted, land use and design parameters will now be considered as well.
“This 10-year plan is more visitor focused,” said Town Manager Robert Earl.
“This particular change will not change the cost or the design. This process changes the order in which we want them to occur.”
There are two new projects in the 10-year plan, including Tunnel Mountain from Otter Street to Otter Lane and the Mount Norquay Road from Railway Avenue to the townsite boundary. They would start in 2024 and 2025 respectively.
Also in the 10-year plan are Banff Avenue between Elk and Moose streets, Bow Falls Avenue, Wolf Street between Bear Street and Banff Avenue and Railway Avenue.
Mayor Karen Sorensen said a lot of thought and work goes into decisions on roadway projects.
“We don’t just willy-nilly decide what’s getting done and when,” she said.
“There is a hierarchy and it’s very scientifically and mathematically developed.”
