By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

‘Junction 42’ to offer new option for truckers bumped from Gasoline Alley

Jul 24, 2018 | 2:35 PM

A new development along the QEII south of Red Deer could alleviate the concerns of truckers over the closure of a popular service road.

For years now, truck drivers have been utilizing a service road which runs parallel to the QEII and a number of businesses in Gasoline Alley, including restaurants and gas stations.

That service road is closing as the new QEII/Gaetz Avenue Interchange nears completion.

However, ‘Junction 42’ – a 291-acre development located at highways 2 and 42 near Penhold – will provide a new place to stop as early as October, according to Red Deer County CAO Curtis Herzberg.

“Junction 42 will be an ideal place for truck traffic and larger vehicles to enter, get the services they need, and exit back onto the highway in a convenient and safe manner,” he says. “This project demonstrates excellent cooperation on behalf of the provincial government, Red Deer County, and private industry.”

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Some servicing still needs to be completed, but the plan is for a number of businesses to open in the area not long after development is complete in the fall.

There will be a parking pad for up to 50 trucks along with temporary washrooms while businesses go in.

On the closure of the current service road, Herzberg says the County asked the province not to go through with it, adding that the new truck stop at Junction 42 is partially in response to the closure.

“If you look across the province, it’s something Alberta Transportation has been involved with in more than just this area when it comes to having safe places for commercial vehicles to pull over and stop off the road,” he notes.

According to the Interchange project website, the closure of the service road is taking place in order to provide safer access and to accommodate additional lanes on the QEII. In the short-term, it continues, southbound access to Gasoline Alley will be provided directly from the QEII via the Leva Avenue roundabout.

County Mayor Jim Wood is expressing his excitement for the new Penhold area development.

“The Junction 42 development will be the next major step in Red Deer County’s economic development,” he says. “We are seeing a great deal of interest in the project, and it is a sure sign that the business community still views Red Deer County as a great place to invest in.”

Other area truck stops include those at 67 Street and Edgar Industrial Park in Red Deer, both of which require entering the city.

County council approved the Local Area Structure Plan for the new commercial subdivision at its June 12 meeting.