Highway 20 and Memorial Trail Roundabout
The roundabout is now complete. Fortis AB will be installing streetlights along Memorial Trail, timeline TBD. Check out the flyover video!
This project upgrades the intersection at Highway 20 and Memorial Trail. As our population grows, the intersection will get busier. The goal is to improve traffic safety and turning movements. Alberta’s government is funding the project and the Town of Sylvan Lake will build it.
Why a roundabout
- A cost-benefit analysis in 2019 recommended a roundabout over traffic signals
- The Town and Alberta Transportation agree that a roundabout is the safest solution.
Who created the preliminary design?
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July 9: Temporary intersection flow changes
Share July 9: Temporary intersection flow changes on Facebook Share July 9: Temporary intersection flow changes on Twitter Share July 9: Temporary intersection flow changes on Linkedin Email July 9: Temporary intersection flow changes linkOn July 9, 2024, traffic flow at the Memorial Trail and Highway 20 intersection is changing:
- Detour roads on Memorial Trail and on Highway 20 open for traffic
- Memorial Trail at Highway 20 right in right out only begins
- Northbound Highway 20 westbound turn onto Memorial Drive closed
- Highway 20 north and south bound traffic open
- Township Road 384 access from Highway 20 closed
Thank you to all our amazing Lakers showing extra kindness and patience during the construction. Lakers are invited to ask any questions about the above construction here.
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April 18, 2024 Update
Share April 18, 2024 Update on Facebook Share April 18, 2024 Update on Twitter Share April 18, 2024 Update on Linkedin Email April 18, 2024 Update linkConstruction on the roundabout is beginning soon. When phase 1 begins, the intersection will become a right in right out only. This change along with detours is tentatively scheduled for May 6. Please plan for alternate routes. Thanks in advance for your patience and kindness with the construction workers and other drivers navigating the changes.
Phase 1: Dates TBD
- Starting April 22: Hydro vacuum work on underground crossings
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Expected early May:
- Memorial Trail may require full closure for up to 2 days at certain times
- Fortis line move
- No left turns:
- From Highway 20 northbound lane onto westbound Memorial Trail
- From Highway 20 southbound lane onto eastbound Township Road 384
- From Memorial Trail eastbound lane onto northbound Highway 20
- From Township Road 384 westbound lane onto southbound Highway 20
Phase 2: Dates TBD, expected start mid June, 2024
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No left turns:
- From Highway 20 northbound lane onto westbound Memorial Trail
- From Highway 20 southbound lane onto eastbound Township Road 384
- From Memorial Trail eastbound lane onto northbound Highway 20
- Township Road 384 CLOSED at Highway 20
- Memorial Trail may require full closure for up to 2 days at certain times
Ask & Answered
- Ask questions about this project
Open House
- Consider yourself invited to ask questions and check out the new design drawings
- Pop into the Government of Alberta's Highway 20 Functional Planning Study open house at the same time
- April 25, 2024
- NexSourceCentre, 4823 49 Ave, Sylvan Lake
- 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
- Can't make it? View the open house boards and ask questions here
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Roundabout safety
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Roundabouts slow traffic down and reduce the possibility of high-speed t-bone accidents. Slower speed accidents cause less death and harm than highway speed accidents. Here’s just some of the research:
“A four-leg single-lane roundabout has 75% fewer vehicle conflict points—compared to a conventional intersection.” (Exhibit 5-2., United States Department of Transportation)
Roundabouts have 75% fewer crashes than traditional intersections with lights, “International studies of intersections converted to roundabouts indicate a strong reduction in injury crashes, particularly for crashes with fatal or serious injuries.” (Evelien Polders)
"Roundabouts use curved approaches that reduce vehicle speed and oblige drivers entering it to yield right-of-way to vehicles already in the roundabout. The counter-clockwise flow of traffic around a central island also minimizes conflict points (i.e., opportunities for collisions). Lower speeds make it easier for drivers to yield to oncoming vehicle and pedestrian traffic because less stopping distance is needed. In addition, the circular shape greatly reduces the likelihood of angle or T-bone collisions which are common at intersections and which increase injury severity.” (Traffic Injury Research Foundation)
There’s another advantage to roundabouts, “They require less idling waiting for the green light which reduces vehicle emissions and fuel consumption.” (Traffic Injury Research Foundation)
Sometimes it all gets a bit wordy, so the illustration shows how roundabouts have less points of conflict. Points of conflict are where crashes usually happen.
When using the new roundabout, we ask drivers to:
Drive more carefully in the new roundabout
Have patience and show kindness to other drivers, especially if they are struggling with the roundabout
Give our large industrial and farming vehicles a little more room and time
Review traffic circle rules in the Alberta Driver’s Guide
Remember that “A roundabout is based on the same premise as making a right turn from a stop sign which we’ve all done countless times.” (Traffic Injury Research Foundation)
Remember that no amount of safety studies and road improvements can replace safe driving. All Albertans play a major role in keeping each other safe
Report safety concerns about any section of provincially maintained highway to highway maintenance, the RCMP, or the Province of Alberta
Be kind in the other roundabouts on Highway 20
