Airdrie MLA Anglea Pitt is frustrated with what she perceives as generic answers from Transportation Minister Brian Mason to specific questions regarding the Balzac interchange that she raised at question period on Tuesday (May 22).

"I was extremely disappointed. I thought an appropriate response at that point in time from the Minister was, 'Look, I'll specifically look into this again and get back to you.'"

Pitt asked about the project, which she says has been a major concern for her constituents for the past two years. Pitt and Chestermere-Rocky View MLA Leela Aheer have advocated on behalf of the project.

In question period, Pitt expressed her frustration with the lag in addressing the issue, and asked when the Minister would "listen to the community and fix the problem," which have been submitted by Pitt and Aheer as a priority on the Capital Submissions List and which is also Rocky View County's number one priority.

"This government is committed to the transportation needs of all Albertans, and I have met extensively with municipalities both urban and rural during my tenure as Minister of Transportation and of Infrastructure, and we have been moving ahead with a significant increase in the capital plan for transportation, and we've had announcements of interchanges, of improvements to our highway system as well as funding for transit."

Pitt perceived the answer as generic and insufficient, and is worried something serious might happen before the area is addressed. 

"My fear at the end of the day is the only thing that's going to get this back near the priority list for this Minister is unfortunately a serious incident."

Pitt says with continued development in the area, traffic will only get worse. She reiterated her commitment to the issue, saying she will do whatever needs to be done to see the area addressed.

"I'm not going to give up, I'm going to continue to advocate for this project. We're going to get this back on the list somehow. We got a win with the left hand turning light at Boston Pizza. If I have to stalk the Minister again, I will stalk the Minister again."

 

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