Safety was the driving force behind the announcement Premier Kenney made yesterday (Tuesday) regarding the widening agreement of Highway 1A.

The agreement is between the Government of Alberta and Stoney Nakoda Nation in which the Stoney Nation transfers lands to the province in order to widen and upgrade the highway between Cochrane and Canmore. The long-awaited agreement will see the 73-year-old highway finally upgraded to the current design standards. 

It is long overdue for upgrades and the $76.5 million dollar project will ensure that it is widened, to allow for shoulders, smooth dips and hills, and straighter curves. 

Safety was reiterated by MLA Peter Guthrie when he voiced his excitement over the project announcement. 

Guthrie says "It does a lot for the Stoney Nation, this does a lot for Cochrane and the first nations people that go back and forth. The safety perspective was talked about a great deal today and that road is narrow, very winding, very dangerous so I'm really happy for the people of Stoney Nation."

Chiniki Chief Aaron Young also spoke to the issue of safety when speaking of the Nakoda residents particularly the children when he said,

"...the children go to school to Cochrane and Canmore and their commute is the 1A highway and for them to experience some of the hazards based on the size of the road itself is not safe."

The 1A highway sees approximately 2000 vehicles a day and is used by the Stoney Nakoda residents as a walkway for a means of transportation as well. 

Chief Aaron said the announcement marks a new "path to the future" which will be safe. 

The highway upgrade is estimated to take two to three years to complete, once a contract is awarded.