On Sunday concerned citizens pounded the pavement for changes to the Highway 16 and 897 intersection. - Katie Ryan Photo
By Katie Ryan
With signs raised high, groups of concerned Kitscoty and surrounding area citizens marched from the Kitscoty & District Regional Park to the Highway 16 and 897 junction. They walked with purpose and emotion on Sunday afternoon, calling for change and in remembrance of the lives lost in vehicle collisions at the notorious corner.
“We want something to happen to the corner, whether it be a speed reduction or land extension or overpass – any change is better than nothing,” said Natasha Bowman, one of three organizers of the Kitscoty Walk for Change.
On Aug. 22 a fatal three-vehicle collision claimed the life of 19-year-old Leasa Headon, nearly two months after a fatal collision left an 82-year-old woman dead at the same intersection.
“We just really want to raise awareness for this junction, we really need it,” said co-organizer Dana Crawford, who attended school with Headon. “We’ve had so much stuff happen here, something needs to be done. This is getting worse. The next time something happens it could be one of our family members or your family members.”
Local businesses including Automated Tank Manufacturing Inc. and K. Kenn Industries Limited have put pressure on the provincial government for improvements to the corner, even offering financial assistance to fund changes. And on Sunday, an estimated 200 members of the community united for change and improvements.
Preceding the walk Alberta residents could sign a petition to “implement changes to the junction of Highway 16 and 897” and enjoy a charity barbecue, of which all funds were donated to a new trust fund. Organizers, Bowman, Crawford and Stephanie Mathisen established the Kitscoty Junction Memorial Fund at the Lloydminster Bank of Montreal in memory of those killed at the corner.
“It’s going to be a fund set up for people who can’t afford funeral costs and if they need financial support during a crisis or time of need with an automobile accident related in the region of Kitscoty,” said Bowman. “There have been 67 accidents here and 47 of them were during the day time in the past 10 years. Something definitely needs to be done.”
As of Tuesday morning, more than $1,000 has been donated to the trust fund including the proceeds from the barbecue held Sunday.
“Leasa – we’ll never be able to bring her back, but she’s making one hell of (an impact) in Kitscoty if you ask me,” said co-organizer Stephanie Mathisen during the barbecue. “The response has been crazy. We have people coming with signs, obviously it’s rubbing off on people. They are here to help and I hope the community pulls together and we make a difference on the corner.”
As Highway 16 traffic travelled west Sunday afternoon, motorists would have read the signs held by a number of residents at the corner. From “stop the slaughter,” to “fix our deadly corner,” “this turn is evil” and “overpass now,” the various signs expressed the community’s concerns and bid for improvements.
“At the very least I want lights, I want something to slow down the Highway 16 traffic,” said Mathisen, adding the goal is to see an overpass built at the junction. “It’s because of the 897 (traffic) turning on to Highway 16 is where most of the accidents are happening. I just want to see a change now.”
Donations to the Kitscoty Junction Memorial Fund can be made at the Lloydminster Bank of Montreal.