The Town of Okotoks has a new plan to grow infrastructure to improve accessible transportation around town.
Okotoks Town Council has recently approved the Active Transportation Implementation Plan (ATIP), which will help to guide the future planning and development of cycling, walking, and rolling infrastructure in town.
This plan was developed with community input and a $50,000 grant from Infrastructure Canada's Active Transportation Fund, and it outlines a 10-year guide to create a more accessible, inclusive, and connected transportation network to suit people of all ages and abilities.
"The Active Transportation Implementation Plan is a comprehensive, data-informed strategy that reflects the voices of our residents," Mayor Thorn stated in a media release. "It provides a flexible framework to guide future investments in sidewalks, pathways, bike lanes and intersection safety."
Not only that, but this plan builds on the Active Transportation Strategy from 2015, which showcases the Town's commitment to sustainability, safety, and quality of life.
This plan will act as a resource which will inform capital and operational planning, prioritize infrastructure upgrades, as well as guide the design of safe and accessible transportation in Okotoks.
According to the Community Growth and Identity Director, Jeff Greene, this plan will give them the ability to prioritize and deliver projects that make active transportation safe and better connected in town.
"It’s built on community input and designed to evolve with Okotoks’ needs as we grow," Greene stated in the media release.
Some of the priority projects that were provided to Town Council for consideration in the 2026 capital budget include multi-use pathways on Milligan Drive, Martin Ave, and Woodgate Road, as well as a protected bike lane on North Railway Street.
They were prioritized based on public feedback, infrastructure condition, and connectivity.
By approving the Active Transportation Implementation Plan, it allows administration to integrate it into upcoming budget discussions.
Details about the design work, estimated costs, and public engagement will be announced as part of future implementation phases, once Council approves specific project funding.
The Town is also developing a new Transportation Master Plan for motor vehicles, which is anticipated to move forward for Council review in 2026, which will create an integrated approach to transportation that supports safety and mobility.
To stay up to date on what's happening in Okotoks, click here.