The city is finalizing details on and updated Transportation Master Plan.--NEWS FILE PHOTO
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After receiving multiple concerns raised from the public about the implementation of a new Transportation Master Plan, particularly around design decisions and stakeholder involvement, city staff have initiated work aimed to improve transparency, consistency and accountability on how major transportation projects are developed and delivered in Medicine Hat.
During a final city committee meeting Thursday prior to Monday’s election, members received an update and a list of action items on the new Transportation Master Plan, the Active Transportation Strategy and the Transportation Safety Strategy, which council did not approve during a September open meeting and instead decided to postpone a decision for the first quarter of 2026.
“The goal is to provide a clear and consistent framework that links project objectives with console strategic priorities and our high level planning documents, such as Municipal Development Plan and Area Development Plans,” explained Sandeep Pareek, city engineering manager, who says the policy will explain the design process and outline stakeholder engagement at each stage of the projects development.
Another large change to the policy is the requirement of council’s approval during a future project’s development process.
“Council check in and offer feedback during the project development,” said Pareek who explained these check-ins could occur through city committees or having a designated member of council “champion” the role.
“Out intent is to ensure stronger alignment between council direction and project delivery throughout the process,” said Pareek.
For future transportation projects, the city hopes to clarify all active transportation elements including existing and future traffic volumes, as well as developing an enhanced engagement strategy to collect public feedback, which could include open houses, surveys and workshops.
Staff say the goal is to finalize the engagement plan of the strategy in the next coming weeks and complete its public engagement by the end of January 2026. Staff will then report back to council for a decision by the end of first quarter of 2026.
The Transportation Master Plan and its associated strategies are based on various provincial and city statutory documents like the Municipal Government Act. It provides a framework for future planning policy direction, and an updated version will be required to plan any future capital projects.
The postponement was intended to provide an opportunity for further public engagement related to the plans through public hearings, and will come back before a new council next year.
The draft of the master plan and strategies were finalized and presented to council for adoption following two public open houses, a public survey earlier in the year and a non-statutory public hearing in July.
During this hearing 29 people spoke and the council received 113 written submissions, which included 86 letters of opposition.
