Transportation Master Plan (TMP)

The City initiated the development of a Transportation Master Plan (TMP) in July 2023, which replaces the 2013 Roadway Systems Master Plan.

Medicine Hat’s TMP plan for the next 30 years take into account evolving transportation infrastructure requirements to accommodate growth and cater to the changing needs of travellers. In support of the TMP, the City also developed a Transportation Safety Strategy (TSS) and Active Transportation Strategy (ATS).  

Expected outcomes for the TMP?

• Identify short-, medium-, and long-term action items for transportation infrastructure (e.g., roads, sidewalks, pathways, bike lanes etc.)
• Recommend implementation plans for City’s transportation network
• Solutions will by guided by an integrated and collaborative inform and consultation approach

Expected outcomes for the TSS?

• • Reduce injuries and fatal collisions on Medicine Hat roadways;
• • Enhance road safety for all users;
• • Manage vehicle speeds;
• • Address and reduce distractions;
• • Support vulnerable road users; and
• • Utilize city collision data, industry best practices, and existing programs and projects to improve road safety.

Expected outcomes for the ATS?

• • Consolidate the 2010 Cycling Master Plan and Trails Master Plan;
• • Identify current gaps in the active transportation network and develop strategies to close these gaps;
• • Optimize existing infrastructure;
• • Create an active transportation network that is accessible and equitable;
• • Develop education and safety initiatives; and
• • Cultivate a community culture which encourages and supports active transportation.

You can follw the TMP on City of Medicine Hat’s Website: https://shapeyourcity.medicinehat.ca/transportation-master-plan

 

Why is MHURA Challenging the TMP?

While many parts and targets of the TMP are very clearly laid out for some roadways, others are not… and while it is important to stay ahead of aging infrastructure and to increase infrastructure as the needs arise… and while increasing safety on roadways, especially as the city grows, is important…much of the TMP and associated Strategies appear to be better suited to larger and denser cities that have many thousands of Alternative Transportation users and extreme high volume of vehicles, of which Medicine Hat has neither.

With all of that in mind, the Active Transportation Strategy seems to have been very instrumental in the direction the city is headed with much of the TMP, placing more focus on meeting the needs of pedestrians, cyclists, scooters etc., than motorists, by not simply adding bike lanes to areas with high bicycle traffic, but completely transforming roadways and adjacent land into huge pathways, all while drastically narrowing the actual roadways and intersections themselves.   

While the goals of each of these Plans and Strategies seem quite lofty, the realities, as evidenced by the results of the plans progress on Division Avenue and the South Hill area show a distinct direction of reducing and slowing vehicular traffic in favour of the “Alternative Transportation’ users.

With regards to the Transportation Safety Strategy(TSS) part of the plan, an overriding theme is stated as “traffic calming measures”, political back speak for slowing drivers down, etc., which is again evidenced by the traffic circles and intersection “bump outs” in the South Hill results. 

While the final costs have not been made known for the South hill “upgrades”, according to the TMP, one of the next projects is to basically recreate the same conditions along 3rd St NW in Riverside, and that project is estimated to come in at $7.5 million dollars.  These are Hatters tax dollars, which could be better spent on simply making sure the existing infrastructure is kept up.

Further to this, 3rd Street NW is a main arterial corridor, and is considered a truck route.

Also named in the TMP is Kingsway Avenue. While there are no specific details outlined in the TMP, to quote Eli Ridder in a Chat News article…

“Another project that has caught the ire of some residents is a proposal to better optimize Kingsway Avenue with improvements to pavement condition and potential active transportation add-ons. While there is no explicit mention of planned lane reductions for the avenue, any initiative to widen sidewalks or cycling lanes could reduce the space for vehicles.”  

When City Hall realized the furor that had erupted amongst the residents, and rightly called a Public Hearing, a small handful of submissions and speakers were in favour, however, the vast majority of Hatters submitted and spoke in objection. 

As evidenced by the packed chambers at that Public Hearing, Hatters seem to be against Council spending their tax dollars on what is perceived as “pet projects”, instead of actual infrastructure upkeep.

Finally, the Alberta Minister of the Municipal Government, Devon Dreeshen has spoken out publicly against Municipalities expanding alternative transportation systems that interfere with or sacrifice vehicle transportation systems.  If fact, Minister Dreeshen has written directly to Medicine Hat City Council in that regard  

MHURA believes truth, transparency and Accountability for decisions made that cost YOU, the taxpayer, money is of the utmost importance.