The topic of speeds on Highway 3 throughout the Crowsnest Pass, from the Bellevue and Hillcrest entrances in the east right through until the signs proclaim 100 kilometres per hour again, west of Coleman, is frequently debated. Too fast, too slow, too many different speeds, wrong speed in the wrong places. There are as many differing opinions as those willing to offer them.

To help gain more empirical data and insight to this issue, ISL Engineering and Land Services will be conducting a speed zone study on the Crowsnest Pass portion of Highway 3. They will be reviewing the existing signage and providing recommendations regarding the location and appropriateness of the signs.

All recommendations will be based on the Alberta Transportation and Transportation Association of Canada guidelines, taking into consideration the existing geometries, collision history, traffic volumes, access management, pedestrian facilities and other factors that may have an impact on speed zones. ISL has made it clear that they will not be recommending the addition or removal of lanes and traffic lights. They are simply looking at how the signage and speeds relate to the existing infrastructure and traffic volumes.

ISL will submit a final report sometime during the late fall of 2012 but representatives from the company said that any changes would be a year or year and half out, if they happen at all. Even if their recommendations say that signage should be changed, the is a chance the minister could still say no.

All comments and feedback from the community and stakeholders are welcomed and should be provided to ISL through Frank Besinger, Director of Planning, Engineering and Operations at the Municipality, by September 13, 2012. ISL said that while they can't guarantee that the comments will affect their decision to recommend speed changes, they will all be considered in the preparation of the final report.