Highway Corridors Study
Municipal District of Brazeau No. 77

The Municipal District (M.D.) of Brazeau No. 77 covers an area of about 3,000 sq km in west-central Alberta. The area's abundant natural resources drive the regional economy. The Highway Corridors Study was initiated by the M.D. to identify opportunities and strategies for high-potential development along highway corridors within the municipality. The team of Armin A. Preiksaitis & Associates Ltd., Associated Engineering Alberta Ltd. and Gibbs & Brown Landscape Architects Ltd. conducted the study.

The study began with an analysis of market conditions and locational criteria for highway commercial, business/industrial, agri-business, recreation/tourism and residential development. Our analysis included primary and secondary research and resulted in the selection of ten areas in the M.D. that displayed development potential. These areas included hamlets, highway intersections and activity nodes.

Transportation and municipal servicing capabilities were determined during site visits to each area. A matrix was developed to identify the strength of each site's potential in the five development categories.

Specific opportunities and constraints were identified for each of the ten areas. Our review looked at man-made and natural constraints, infrastructure availability, existing land uses and statutory policies. The review concluded with specific development recommendations. Six areas were felt to have high development potential. Outline plans were recommended for certain areas that exhibited potential but lacked existing statutory plans.

To enhance the overall tourism potential within the M.D. of Brazeau, a recreation and tourism concept was developed to link and promote current and future tourist attractions. Two key recommendations included developing multi-use trails and scenic drives to capitalize on the M.D.'s natural beauty.

Client: Parkland County
Completion Date: July 2001