The Town of Blackfalds is close to getting a new signalized intersection.

Blackfalds Town Council approved the relocation of the intersection at Broadway and Highway 2A, southwest of the Co-op gas station.

The intersection will be moved slightly south of its current location.

Director of Infrastructure and Property Services Preston Weran said relocating the intersection and adding traffic lights is mainly about safety.

“With the amount of traffic coming through that corridor and the additional traffic from the new development, we are seeing people taking risks and turning left off of the highway when there’s oncoming traffic,” said Weran.

The cost of the project is estimated at $3 million, the town will be applying for a provincial grant to help with the cost.

“We’ve got a capital budget in 2017 to help with the funds, but it would be nice to have some additional funding from the province for the development,” said Weran.

“I think the chance of us getting help with the funding from the province is high.”

The project is in its design phase which should be done by March, said Weran.

Once the design phase is complete, construction will begin. The town hopes to finish the project sometime in the fall of this year.

During construction, Weran said drivers can expect delays.

“There will be delays as far as construction goes, but we are going to maintain access to the Co-op gas bar as well as access on other routes,” said Weran.

“Alberta Transportation requires us to minimize those types of traffic delays and with the high amount of vehicles moving out of that corridor, there will likely be a single lane closure or detours around the area.”