Letter: TransCanada Highway needs to bypass Medicine Hat for betterment of civilized living

By Letter to the Editor on June 16, 2023.

Dear editor,

The Trans-Canada Highway as it traverses Medicine Hat generates pathological levels of noise for a few hundred metres on either side of the right of way.

These effects are most commonly realized as sleep disturbances, annoyance and to a lesser extent, ischemic heart disease. The issue will only exacerbate as the population of the city increases.

A study of the situation can be examined at https://acousticApocalypse.ca. It summarizes the method of calculating the data on the noise generated, graphical representation of the results, the effects of constant exposure to high levels of noise including contribution to crime rates and the values of unacceptable noise levels as determined by the World Health Organization.

A map of the proposed TCH bypass of Medicine Hat, a proposal that is at least 15 years old, is included as well as summaries of several studies, which determine that the economic effect of bypasses is not nearly as drastic as some fear. Its construction would eliminate this travesty of civilized living, and while the TCH falls under provincial jurisdiction, the noise produced negatively impacts Hatters.

Local government has an obligation to protect residents from this sort of thing and should lobby the province to take action. The noise levels exceed both provincial and municipal limits and violate “the security of the person and enjoyment of property” as guaranteed by the Canadian Bill of Rights, the Alberta Bill of Rights and the Canada Criminal Code.

The thunder of mufflerless or turbocharged trucks and the shriek of mufflerless motorcycles at high RPM makes life unbearable for those adjacent to the highway. Several city streets are likewise affected.

The city has a legal and moral obligation to address the situation. If this noise affects you, write or phone city hall.

Fred Lewis

Medicine Hat

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