Getting around Okotoks is expected to look a little different as the community grows. The Town has updated its Transportation Master Plan (TMP), a long-term roadmap to guide transportation decisions and investments as the community grows. Council accepted the TMP as a planning tool at today’s regular meeting.
The TMP examines how people move throughout Okotoks by vehicle, transit, walking, rolling and cycling. It identifies transportation improvements that may be needed over the next 25 years and beyond, reflecting the Town's recent Growth Strategy.
“The updated Transportation Master Plan gives Council a clear, data-driven roadmap for future transportation investments,” said Mayor Tanya Thorn. “Using current traffic data and growth projections from our Growth Strategy, the plan identifies where road and intersection improvements will be needed to keep people, goods and services moving efficiently throughout our community. It helps us make informed infrastructure decisions at the right time, supporting both current and future needs.”
Key recommendations include future improvements to major transportation corridors such as 32 Street, 338 Avenue and Highway 7; continued support for walking, rolling and cycling infrastructure; future transit planning; and improvements to key intersections across the community.
While Council's acceptance of the TMP doesn't authorize construction of individual projects, it does inform how the Town plans for future improvements to support residents, businesses and regional travel throughout the coming decades so that:
- major roads can handle more traffic;
- key intersections do not become major bottlenecks;
- neighbourhoods have better connections to each other;
- drivers have practical route choices instead of relying on only a few busy roads;
- future road and intersection projects will continue to be planned based on growth, traffic data, community needs, budgets, Council decisions and available funding.
Review the Transportation Master Plan at okotoks.ca/TMP-update