Hanna council backed a regional call for improvements to Highway 36, also known as Veterans Memorial Highway, at its Oct. 13 regular meeting, citing concerns about narrow bridges, limited passing opportunities and heavy industrial traffic.

Council carried a motion authorizing the town to join municipalities along the highway in a letter requesting improvements from Alberta’s minister of transportation and economic corridors.

During discussion, council members highlighted the highway’s role in connecting traffic between the United States and Fort McMurray. They identified improvements as a high priority for provincial advocacy because the safety concerns affect numerous municipalities.

The request came through Palliser Economic Partnership, which asked member municipalities at its Sept. 15 meeting to support the initiative.

A draft letter included in Hanna’s council package urges the province to prioritize alternating passing lanes along Highway 36. It describes the highway as an important route for oversized industrial loads sharing the road with residents, farm equipment and other commercial traffic.

According to the analysis presented in the letter, the 663-kilometre stretch between Warner and Lac La Biche has just 1.3 kilometres of northbound passing lane and 1.3 kilometres of southbound passing lane. The letter also identifies five turnouts and seven rest areas.

The municipalities say limited opportunities to pass large or slow-moving vehicles result in long lines of traffic and contribute to unsafe conditions. Poor weather can make those concerns worse.

Additional passing lanes would provide more predictable opportunities for drivers to get around oversized loads, agricultural equipment, commercial vehicles and trailers, the letter says.

While acknowledging competing demands for provincial infrastructure funding, the municipalities call for greater urgency in addressing the highway’s safety concerns. They argue the improvements would benefit local communities, other road users and industries relying on the corridor.

Hanna’s administration identified no financial or staffing implications associated with supporting the letter.

Administration will notify Palliser Economic Partnership of council’s decision to join the advocacy effort.