In response to Katherine Van Hoof's published view (Gazette, July 22), I would like to clarify that I am in favour of the extension of Ebony Way as contained in the City of St. Albert's Erin Ridge North Area Structure Plan (ASP), not simply "as proposed by Landrex." I feel that users of the planned Ebony extension are already using Erin Ridge Drive on the journey to and from Everitt and I would expect that any increase in traffic on Erin Ridge Drive due to extending Ebony would be negligible. However, this is a decision that should be left to traffic management experts.
In my opinion the extension of Ebony as planned in the Area Structure Plan is required to provide a second north/south collector between Erin Ridge and Erin Ridge North and reduce traffic past the new Lois E. Hole school. It needs to be acknowledged that additional arguments used by Ms. Van Hoof such as day-care crossings, seniors, etc., also exist on Everitt Drive North but by only considering areas would be neglecting concerns throughout the remainder of the Erin Ridge and Erin Ridge North neighborhoods.
Closing roads and not opening planned roads is proven as a short-sighted approach to traffic management. Opening the Ebony Way extension and combining the traffic calming measures under development for the rest of the neighborhood will provide a safer transportation system for all of Erin Ridge, not simply select individual area.
I urge the City of St. Albert to continue to focus on improving traffic management and safety throughout the entire Erin Ridge neighborhood and not allow each individual concern affect the system as a whole.
Tim Saunders, St. Albert
