A recent tragic accident claimed the life of a 69-year-old motorcyclist on Highway 627 in Parkland County, sparking concerns among residents about the need for enhanced safety measures. This incident marks the fourth fatal collision on this stretch of highway in the past year.
According to Parkland RCMP, there have been a total of 38 reported collisions on Highway 627 in the last year, with five fatalities resulting from four of these accidents. Robert Oliver, a long-time resident near the highway, expressed worries about the safety of intersections along the road, citing a lack of advanced green lights and reckless driving as contributing factors to the high accident rate.
Oliver has reached out to the Ministry of Transportation and Economic Corridors twice, urging them to consider installing advanced green lights at the Highway 627 and Highway 60 junction. In a tragic event on July 16, two Stony Plain residents lost their lives in a collision at the same intersection.
Kevin McGillivray, the detachment commander at Parkland RCMP, acknowledged the rise in fatal collisions on Highway 627 compared to previous years. Collaborating with the Alberta Sheriffs Highway Patrol and Parkland County community peace officers, law enforcement agencies are intensifying their enforcement efforts along Highway 627 to address the recent surge in accidents.
As a provincial highway under the jurisdiction of Alberta Transportation, Highway 627’s safety concerns are being closely monitored by the ministry. A spokesperson expressed condolences to those affected by the collisions and assured that they are working with law enforcement to investigate the incidents thoroughly.
The Ministry of Transportation and Economic Corridors intends to review the outcomes of RCMP investigations to identify potential safety enhancements for Highway 627 and its intersections, aiming to prevent future tragedies and ensure a safer road environment for all users.