Residents in the vicinity of Highway 627, southwest of Edmonton, are advocating for enhanced safety precautions following the fourth fatal accident in the past year. The latest incident occurred early Thursday morning, where a 69-year-old motorcyclist tragically lost his life after a collision with a pickup truck between Range Road 273 and Range Road 274.
According to Parkland RCMP, there have been 38 reported accidents on Highway 627 over the last year, with five fatalities resulting from four of these collisions. Robert Oliver, a retired 30-year veteran residing near the highway, expressed concerns about the safety of multiple intersections due to inadequate traffic signals and speeding drivers.
Oliver emphasized the need for alterations to ensure the safety of road users, especially considering his children’s future travels on the same route for school or work. He has reached out to the Ministry of Transportation and Economic Corridors twice, proposing the installation of advanced green lights at the Highway 627 and Highway 60 junction.
Another tragic incident on July 16 claimed the lives of two Stony Plain residents, a 69-year-old man, and a 64-year-old woman, at the intersection of Highway 627 and Highway 60. Oliver stressed the urgency of reevaluating the highway’s conditions to balance traffic flow and safety effectively.
Kevin McGillivray, the detachment commander at Parkland RCMP, noted a rise in fatal collisions on Highway 627 compared to previous years. Collaborating with the Alberta Sheriffs Highway Patrol and Parkland County peace officers, increased enforcement actions are planned for Highway 627 to address the recent spike in collisions.
Highway 627 falls under the jurisdiction of Alberta Transportation, with a ministry spokesperson expressing condolences to those affected by the accidents. They highlighted ongoing collaboration with law enforcement agencies to investigate the incidents thoroughly. The ministry commits to reviewing RCMP findings to identify potential safety enhancements for the highway and its intersections.